Sincerely, Me Chapter 4: The Secret Songbook, a harry potter fanfic

Disclaimer: Sadly enough, I do not own Harry Potter. More importanly, for this chapter, I don't own that song. It is a Death Cab for Cutie song, but they are given major props in this chapter, so I don't think they mind. But, if you want some great indie music, check 'em out!

Warnings: Um... nothing, I don't think. If I am worng and something offends you, let me know... Yeah.

Author's Notes: Waaaaaaahhh! This chapter took waaaaay too long to write. Not that it was hard, it just happened to be longer then it started out. Plus, with school starting back up, I have been haning trouble finding time to write. Yeah, I know! My school starts way too early. It hadn't yet (but it will on Friday) but I have been at band camp. Bah! I'm really tired. Like all the time. I did get to go to New York, so that's cool. I jsut realized that you don't care, but that's why this chapter is late. Yah. Oh, and read that song. It is important. I picked it out special, after a long, hard search. It matters to the plot, so don't be a dumb butt like I know I am sometimes and just skip over a song because, hey, it's just a song. Cause this isn't, kids. This isn't. Well, I'll shut up now. Making an already pretty long chapter longer. I should stop that. So! With no further ado, I give you...

Sincerly,

Chapter Four:

The Secret Songbook

"Hermione!" a voice shouted down the hall. She jerked her head towards the noise, sighing.

"Really, this is getting ridiculous!" she nearly shouted, leaning her head back against the wall with a frustrated grunt. Ron looked around nervously, hoping that she hadn't been heard.

"Keep it down, do you want them to come back?" he asked. She laughed.

"That won't matter if not here to greet them!" she explained, standing and stretching. "Let's go."

"Go where?" he asked, standing. She was already walking towards the giant front doors of the castle.

"Dunno yet," she said, smiling back at him. She grabbed his wrist and they were out the doors.

The day was bright as they raced across the grounds. There were a few students scattered about, but luckily the duo wasn't noticed. Not that they would have cared just then. They were wrapped up in their fun; laughing as they sought out a place they wouldn't be bothered. Suddenly, Hermione stopped, looking down a hill.

"You see that patch of trees down there?" she asked. Ron nodded. "Have you ever seen it before?" As he realized her message, they both smiled.

Neither of them realized how loose the gravel was on the way down. But soon they couldn't ignore it, slipping down and laughing at the spectacle. Then something happened.

To him time whirred in slow motion. She turned with a smile that slowly morphed into a look of shock. There was no sound, nothing was there except for her as she fell in a graceful arc. He saw this before he realized she had slipped and acted before he felt himself move. He didn't know what he was doing; he saw himself dive after her like a spectator; not really there. And so they fell together.

He came to himself when they reached the bottom of the hill. He had taken the brunt of the fall and sustained a few minor cuts and an aching leg. She lay on top of him, coughing through dust, but he could see that she was safe.

None of that mattered, though, as their eyes locked and she smiled. All that he could think of was the distance between them; moving closer with every passing moment.....

-----Earlier that day-----

Days at Hogwarts passed uneventfully, for once. The days turned into weeks and soon September was nearing a close. Ron found himself in the Gryffindor common room one Saturday morning, lazing about and trying to complete a Potions essay. He was actually getting somewhere when slightly raised voices broke his concentration.

"No! I don't see why you are all so excited about this! It's not important. And I'm not going to indulge you!"

"Please, Hermione? Pretty please?" Lavender Brown whined as they walked out of the girls dorm into the common room. Hermione was flocked by Lavender, Parvati and Ginny, and Ron noticed that she was holding a little notebook.

"You have to! You just absolutely have to!" Parvati exclaimed, jumping in the air in excitement. Ginny giggled.

"Really, Hermione, just do it! We want to hear because it was good!" she coaxed. "And you know that if you don't we'll just keep bothering you. Give in!" But Hermione did not look like she would give in anytime soon. She sat next to Ron like nothing was going on.

"Good morning, Ron," she greeted cheerfully. Ron stared at her.

"What's all this about?" he inquired as the other three grouped around her. She attempted to ignore them.

"All what ab-" she began.

"We found a songbook and it's really good and she should sing one for us but she's being mean!" Parvati explained. Ron raised an eyebrow.

"Songbook?" he asked Hermione. She blushed a little, clutching the little notebook to her chest.

"Yes. I write songs from time to time. No big deal," she mumbled, knowing that she had lost Ron to the dark side.

"Well, how do they know that what you write is good?" he asked.

"Lavender read one," Parvati said enthusiastically. "It was really good and she almost cried. Because it was good, not because it was so bad that she wanted to cry. It was moving, and it moved Lavender to tears, almost. She-"

"Thank you, Parvati," Hermione interrupted, rubbing her temple. "Yeah, I wrote a few songs. But it's no big deal. There not that good. I don't want people-"

"Seeing that you have feelings?" Parvati suggested.

"Knowing that you're more than just a brain?" Lavender continued. Hermione glared at them both.

"Learning the interworkings of my psyche, actually," she said, though the sarcasm was lost on them. "Plus, their not really all that good. People would laugh. Not that I care, but I doubt anyone here wants to hear my stupid songs." She stood, nodding at the two of them. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going down to breakfast." With that, she walked out. Ron looked down at his unfinished essay, let out a sigh and climbed out the portrait hole after her.

They walked in silence for a minute, before Ron threw her a childish grin. She shot back an annoyed glare, which he took in stride. The silent look-giving continued for a moment before Ron let out a laugh. She glared at him.

"You think this whole thing is funny. My emotions out on the line is just so freaking hilarious, isn't it?" she said, almost genuinely angry. Ron smiled.

"Not at all. They're way out of line," he said, trying to keep on her good side today. "I just never thought you would do something so... not Hermione. You have a book of songs!" All he got for this comment was a softened glare. "Can I see it?" he asked hopefully. Her glare intensified.

"No. It's private-"

"Well I know that. I just thought, you know, since I am your best friend," he coaxed. She put her hand on his shoulder.

"Ron, I really don't want anyone seeing these. I know the people here and it'd be taken way out of context. Plus, I really don't think they're that good," she sighed. "It seems I'm the only one who thinks that, though." She suddenly wasn't there anymore. Well, she was physically there; her hand still sitting heavily on his shoulder, but her mind was halfway across the world. He smiled.

"Hermione?" he said, bringing her out of her stupor. "Your secret songbook can stay a secret." she smiled back at him, tagging him lightly on the arm.

"I knew I could count on you" she admitted. They started towards the Great Hall again, looking at the other out of the corner of their eyes. "You do realize that this means you have to save me from the privacy invaders now."

"Does it?" Ron asked.

"Yup. Until they get bored with this or..." she trailed off for a moment. "Or heaven forbid they actually convince me to sing for them!"

They laughed at their private joke as they sat down at the Gryffindor table.

-----

The Quidditch pitch was bright and green as the Gryffindor team walked out for their first practice of the season. The first game wasn't for another few months, but their captain had suggested starting early. He had suggested a lot of things, including adding a few reserve players, in case the games got as interesting as they had in the past. The team had changed a lot since first year, the only person still there was Harry (who had, of course, been made captain). Also on the team was Ron; the greatly improved, almost-as-good-as-Wood-now Keeper (he had only needed a bit of confidence, as it seemed.) The Chasers were Ginny, a third year girl named Emma Bell (she was Katie's cousin and lacked none of the older girl's talent) and surprisingly Denis Creevey. The Beaters from fifth year, Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper had increased quite a bit in talent (though were still nothing when compared to Fred and George). In reserve was Natalie MacDonald, a fifth year; Daniel Rodgers, a second year; and Sarah Petters (in her fourth year). They all trained hard and tried their best, giving them the makings of a pretty good team.

Practice started out well, no spectators or interruptions to speak of, and the teammates were enjoying their workout and the beautiful day. It wasn't until the sun was fairly high overhead that a little dot of a person meandered into the stands. Ron could see from the heights that it was Hermione, and he motioned to Harry.

"Rodgers!" the captain called, "Take over as Keeper for a turn!" As Rodgers flew into position, Ron flew down to his melancholy friend.

"What's wrong, Hermione?" he asked. She looked up at him with a somber glance.

"You won't believe what they've been putting me through," she muttered. "They're relentless! Really, I don't see what the big deal is. And they refuse to leave me alone. So I figured I'd lay low here for a while. Is that alright?" she asked him with hopeful eyes. He smiled meaningfully at her.

"Of course!" he said. "Why, you're the best friend of the Captain and one of the star players! Why shouldn't you be allowed to sit in on practices from time to time?" She smirked meanly at him, making him laugh. "Really, Hermione, stay as long as you need." He began to fly back up, but her voice stopped him.

"Oh, Ron!" she said shortly. "I really don't think they'll find me here, but if they do, and there isn't much of practice left, do you think, well, you.. could..." She trailed off, and he smiled at her, slowly rising into the air.

"No problem," he told her with a grin.

Hermione's theory that she wouldn't be found was proven wrong an hour later. Ron looked down at her during a lull in his action to find that she was now accompanied by a few other people. After motioning to Harry and getting Rodgers to fill in for him again, Ron flew down to see what was going on.

"For the last time! I'm not going to sing for you! Piss off!!" Hermione nearly shouted. The group consisted of girls like Parvati and Lavender, all in Gryffindor and all gossip queens. Of course, the older two were their leaders, and the little ones followed them everywhere. Lavender was the one who spoke for the group this time.

"Please, 'Mione! I don't see why you won't! These songs are really good-"

"You read one song! How can you possibly know if all the songs are good?!" Hermione seemed really worked up, and Ron decided it was time to step in.

"What seems to be the problem, ladies?" he asked suavely. Parvati glared at him.

"Same as always. She won't sing one of her songs! And we can't understand why!" she whined, with murmurs of agreement throughout the crowd. Ron shook his head.

"Well, that's her prerogative. Now, really, you're bothering our practice," he said in hopes that they would leave. "If you want to sit and watch quietly, by all means, stay. But if you're going to yell and disrupt you really ought to do it somewhere else." His idea that they would leave were soon confirmed as the group dispersed; some staying to watch the practice and others looking for a more fulfilling way to spend their Saturday. Ron turned to Hermione with a wink and a grin. "So how was that, Miss Perfect Head Girl? Was I strict enough with them?" She smiled back at him.

"Well, Mister Head Boy, I'd say you're finally getting the hang of this discipline stuff," she played back. "I think you are actually starting to deserve that title!"

"Now let's see, I'm the one who's good with the students, but I'm getting good at being mean to them," he said, mock thinking as he hovered by his best friend. "So I think in order for our balance to be kept, you need to work on your people skills. Otherwise, you're just really unnecessary!" He was sent a soft glare and a play punch on the arm. Going with their goofy exchange, he pretended to almost slip off his broom. She rolled her eyes. It was then that they were noticed.

"Ron!" Harry shouted down. "Stop flirting and get back to practice!" The pair sent a blushed grin at each other.

"I'll be back to play bodyguard again in ten minutes," Ron said, drifting upwards. "Really. We don't have much practicing left to do. I don't know what his problem is!" Eyes were rolled at him and he smirked in return, taking his post as Keeper once more.

-----

"So really, Hermione, what's so secret and important about these songs?" Ron asked as the pair walked down an inane corridor in the sprawling castle. Hermione shuffled her feet in response.

"Well, I guess I'm afraid that they'd be too transparent," she said. Ron raised an eyebrow at her.

"What is that supposed to mean?" he probed. "And didn't you sing them this summer in that band?" He tried not to laugh at the idea of her in a band. How had that happened!

"Well, yes, I did sing them then," she said. "But that was to people who didn't know me; to strangers. If I were to sing to them to the people who were around me when I wrote them, I'd be worried that they would know what I was writing about. You see?" Ron nodded.

"That does make sense," he agreed. "But I doubt you could get the P and L crew to see it your way. I think you'll just have to ride this one out. They'll find something else interesting to do by Monday, I promise." She smiled at him and they walked in silence for a while.

This was how Ron liked it. The days that they weren't fighting and they just talked like this. Or rather didn't talk. This silence passed so peacefully, like there was no place better in the world. They could both think with a clear head when they lapsed into silences like these. Ron always got his best thinking done in her silence. Not that he minded the arguing. It was the best way to get out pent up anger, and he didn't have to worry about them being mad at each other later. They both used their fights as therapy, so as long as they didn't say something stupid, they would be good.

Thinking about all of this, he wondered how much she really had changed over the summer. Certainly she had her differences, but all in all she was the same person. Only.. He had the feeling that she hadn't been the same person in New York. Something about being back in her home made her change back into her old self, but when she first arrived she was not herself at all. And her letters! The longer she was in New York, the less she sounded like his best friend. Those letters, while often capturing her mood and memories in an entertaining fashion, often left him guessing at what had really happened.

His thoughts were interrupted when Hermione stopped shortly with a slight 'oh!' She turned to him and smiled.

"I have something for you!" she said cheerfully. She opened up her book bag and began rummaging. "You see, I remembered how good you were at the first charm we learned this year, and I got to thinking. You've always been pretty good at charming objects, so I got you... ah ha!" she pulled a think book out of the bag. "This!" She handed it to him with a smile and he looked at the cover. A Charmed Life: 1001 advanced charms to enhance your possessions. "It's a bunch of interesting charms that you can do to things. I know I said I wasn't going to nag about school work, and I'm not. This is just something I thought you might enjoy." He smiled at her.

"Thanks, Hermione!" he said genuinely. "I'll have to look at it later."

They lapsed back into silence while he flipped through the pages of the tome.

"Hey! A Hover Charm! Wow, that's going to be fun!"

So much for silence.

-----

At lunch, they decided to brave the Great Hall for some food. Ron saw the gossip kids and attempted to steer away from them, but it was impossible. Harry, Ginny and Neville were all sitting by them, and Ron didn't want to let these horror-wenches ruin his meal or conversation, so they sat.

"So? Are you reasonable yet?" Lavender asked with a pout. Hermione scoffed and Ron rolled his eyes. He had finally had enough of this.

"Didn't you girls every think that maybe there was a reason she doesn't want to play for you?" he asked, nearing anger. "Maybe some of the songs are too personal, maybe she doesn't want you knowing everything she's ever felt!" They stared at him with varying degrees of shock. Parvati was the first to speak.

"Uhh.... Dur?" she said ironically. "Come on! Of course we know that! Listening to someone sing is better then reading their diary!" That had crossed the line in Hermione's eyes. She shook her head, grabbed a sandwich and stood.

"Good day to you, girls," she said coolly. Before anyone could speak, she was off. Ron was tempted to follow her, but her exit left the distinct feeling of a person who wanted to be alone.

Having nothing better to do, Ron listened to the conversation between Ginny and the gossip girls.

"So, what do you have to report today?" she asked. "What have I missed while I was off, making sure we keep that Quidditch Cup again?" Lavender giggled at her joke while Parvati answered.

"Not much, Ginny," she said somberly. "Hermione is holding on this privacy thing, so that's a dead lead. Some interesting rumors we've heard floating around, though. There is said to be a teacher here who is too friendly with the students." Ron's ears perked up at this. He had heard something like this in the hall the first night of the term. Could it be true?

"Wow," Ginny observed. "Where'd you hear this one? It can't be first hand, or the word 'teacher' would have been a name."

"Too true," Lavender continued. "We've heard accounts of perfects patrolling the halls and hearing this teacher at work. We don't yet know the identity of the teacher or student (possibly students)." The listening members of the table thought of this information form a moment before Ginny spoke again.

"God, I hope it isn't Snape," she said, voicing all of their fears. A collective shiver passed through the group before they went back to normal conversation. Ron couldn't return to his food, though. So, the mystery couple from way back then had decided to continue their... relationship. Whatever. That was news. The teacher and student involved could be fired or expelled, respectively. What was worth that risk? Ron tossed a roll back onto his plate. Suddenly he wasn't hungry at all.

He decided to head up to his dormitory and look over the last of Hermione's letters. He had nearly reached the end of her correspondence, but couldn't find time to read them at night any more. Upon reaching his dorm, he flopped on to his four poster bed and reached under his pillow. There it was, the little blue notebook that had entrapped his life. Opening it towards the end, he flipped around until he found his spot. A short note probably written in a taxi on the way to a concert with Jamie and her cousin, Lauri. The note was scrawled in blue Muggle ink, from one of their 'pens'.

"Ron!
I am going to see one of my favorite bands in the whole wide world. They are called Death Cab for Cutie and they rock. The lead singer is so awesome. The way he writes is... ah! So great! It's like poetry.. Only not. Gah! Ahem... I'm ranting. I'll shut up. Sorry, I just had to tell you this. It's so freaking awesome!
There's not much going on besides that. Well, work stuff, of course. We're so close to our goal! It's great! That's basically life here. Pretty great. I hope it's good on your end, too.
I think I'll die of happiness if I get to talk to Ben Gibbard tonight. Oh. He's the singer guy. Well, I'll write more later!
Hermione XOXO"

Those were the letters he loved. The ones where she was just happy. She tended to get giddy when she was happy. And he had seen some pretty interesting things make her happy. From getting a superb mark on a paper or test to figuring out something no one else could have. Also, apparently, seeing some band in concert. He would wager that a lot of her happiness came from excelling at work, though. Of course, the concert made her happy, but she would have been able to enjoy it were she not doing well at work. He noticed how she included a mention of her workday, and reasoned that he was right. He flipped to the next page.

"Well, the concert was, indeed, amazing. But not as amazing as my day today. I didn't have to work today, so our band decided to practice. We had a show tonight, so we want to make sure everything is smooth. It was our first show. First ever. Well, not really. They were a band before I joined, and they played shows, but they sound has changed a bit and now I'm the lead singer so this is sort of like our first show. It's MY first show, at any rate.
"Practice went well. We started at 10 and wrapped up at 2. After that Lauri and I went shopping for show clothes. It is always fun to go shopping with Lauri. We went down to the Village to a few really cool shops we knew. Two hours and 300 dollars (I don't even want to tell you how much money that is. Lauri has a problem) later, I was ready to go on.
"Except that I was scared out of my mind. I mean, do you remember in fifth year when we had the first DA type meeting and I had to talk in front of everyone and my voice got all squeaky? Well, that was just speaking in front of 25 people. This gig would involve me singing rather difficult music while playing the guitar to an audience of about 100 or 150. I felt like I was gong to die! It took the whole band, Lauri and my uncle to calm me down enough to go on stage.
"But as soon as I got out there I was okay. I sang and played and rocked out and guess what? They loved me! Everyone was cheering and screaming and it was for me! Now I know how you feel playing Quidditch, everyone cheering for you. Well, last year, at least. And the end of fifth year. Oh well, that's not important. I can't believe how good that felt! And, after the show people were buying our CDs (that's a thing with recorded music on it). There was one girl who came up to me and said that she love one song in particular. The song that I wrote basically all of the parts by myself. And she thought my lyrics were moving. Moving! Ben Gibbard's lyrics are moving! Radiohead writes moving lyrics! And she said she thought I was moving. That is the greatest thing anyone has every said to me.
"I am tired beyond belief! We stayed out until 2 in the morning partying. I'm going to regret that one, I can tell! Oh well. I had fun.
"I should sing my moving song for you some day. Ask me to. When you read this. Ask me to sing my moving song. It's called 'Photobooth' and it is moving.
"I'm sleeping now. Goodnight, Ronald! Sweet dreams, too.
Hermione XOXO"

The idea wasn't half bad. Maybe he could ask to hear that song. Not that he wanted to invade her privacy, but now he was curious about the 'moving song'. Movement outside of the room brought him out of his thoughts. He stowed the book again and stood. Harry walked in, a concerned look written over his face.

"I thought you went after Hermione" he said. Ron shook his head. "You should. I'm worried. You know how those two can be, and she really seemed to be upset at practice." Ron nodded.

"I think I managed to calm her down a bit, but still, I know what you mean," he agreed. "I'll look for her."

Which is how he found himself walking the corridors alone. Not that he minded it. It was nice to be able to just walk around and think. He found his thoughts slipping to the way she looked when she was happy. The little dimple in her left cheek when she smiled, the way she would subtly toss her hair when she was thinking about something good. Her laugh. The same laugh that had developed the recent ability to turn his stomach inside out. He smiled at his thoughts, but was so lost in them that he wasn't looking where he was going. And bumped into the last person he wanted to see in such a happy moment.

"Watch yourself, Weasley!" Malfoy shouted at him. Ron raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain the happy.

"Whatever," he responded, trying to push past, but only managing to make him angrier.

"What?" Malfoy shouted again, taking the push as an attack. "Do you want to fight?" Ron looked him in the eyes.

"No," he said calmly. "And you seem awfully belligerent today. You should think about that. Now I'm going this way." And with that, Ron left a steaming Malfoy to glare holes in his back. A few moments later, Ron heard him huff and walk off in another direction.

Ron sighed. This day just kept getting more interesting. He now was tired of walking and wanted just to talk to Hermione. He had brought the Marauder's map for such an occasion and he opened it, looking for his friend's name. He saw a few dots (Minerva McGonagall, Colin Creevey, James Ross) out on the main hall, but her name was no where to be seen. He looked on the second floor, and there she was, walking towards the Gryffindor tower. He sighed, probably having just missed her, then turned around.

When he got there she was sitting alone in the common room, strumming idly at her guitar. He smiled at her.

"You know, if they found you here with that, they'd force you to sing for sure," he said, leaning against a wall. She looked up at him, smiling slightly.

"I don't know if I care anymore," she said softly. He frowned, taking a seat next to her. The notes and chords she played seemed somewhat structured. He could follow a melody, softly washing through the otherwise quiet room. It seemed wrong to interrupt such a sweet sound, but he needed to talk to her.

"Is that a song?" he asked softly. She nodded in response. They didn't speak for a few more moments before Ron pulled out the little blue notebook he had put in his pocket. "You mentioned a song in here," he mumbled, opening to the page. "Photobooth. Said I should ask to hear it." Her faraway look seemed to deepen at those words. "So, should I still ask to hear it?" she didn't respond, but the music she was playing seemed to change. After a moment, she truly answered his question, beginning to sing.

"I remember when the days were long

And the nights when the living room was on the lawn:

Constant quarrelling, the childish fits,

And our clothes in a pile on the ottoman;

All the slander and doublespeak

Were only foolish attempts to show you did not mean

Anything but the blatant proof

Was your lips touching mine in a photobooth.

Cup your mouth to compress the sound,

Skinny-dipping with the kids from a nearby town,

Everything that I said was true

As the flashes blinded us in the photobooth.

I lost track and then those words were said,

You took the wheel and you steered us into your bed.

Soon we woke and I walked alone

And it was pretty clear that it was hardly love.

And as the summer's ending,

The cold air will rush your hard heart away

You were so condescending:

And this is all that's left.

Scraping paper to document

I've packed a change of clothes and it's time to move on..."

She slowly faded the song and Ron sat in awe. With her expectant eyes looking at him for some conformation, all he could manage was to breath. Her song had created a perfect picture in his mind. Her words were the paint, her melody was the brush, and the soft guitar the canvas. The most incredible thing about it, though, was the passion she had sung with. Like she truly felt the words and lived through the inspiration every time she sang. He shook his head at her with a small smile. All he could think to say to her waiting eyes was "Wow."

She smiled brightly at him, then tried to hide how pleased his approval made her. "Yes, well, it sounds much different with the whole band. I mean, really it's hardly the same song. You don't really get the right effect on an acoustic. Sounds far too coffee shop guitar emo crap," she rambled. Ron raised an eyebrow at her, at which she stopped, smiling again. "Really, though, what do you have to say besides 'wow'?" she asked, mocking his shocked look at which they both laughed.

"Well, it was amazing," he said, making her blush. "Really. One of the best things I've ever heard." She rolled her eyes at him.

"Don't try to flatter me," she said, "Lies do not become us, Ronald." He laughed at her antics for a moment, then set a serious smile on his face. He caught her chin in his hands and pulled her eyes into his.

"Honestly, Hermione," he said softly and now it was her turn to have trouble breathing. "When have I ever lied to you?" he released her and a moment passed before something caught Ron's eye. Some movement on the bit of parchment he had laid on the table. Picking it up, he saw a dot labeled "Parvati Patil" heading towards Gryffindor tower. "Oh, we should be going if we don't want to have to deal with her crap," he said, showing Hermione the paper. She nodded and picked up the guitar, hurrying to replace it in her dormitory. Not a moment later, it seemed, she had returned and they walked out the portrait hole and down they hall.

As they turned the corner, they were spotted by a pretty Indian girl, who turned around to raised an alarm.

-----

For the fifth time in fifteen minuets, they had to duck into a corner to avoid one of the gossip crew. They had multiplied, it seemed, and every one of them was looking for Hermione. Upon thinking about it, she angerly pushed a wall.

"Really! There are at least ten people running about looking for me!" she hissed. "Don't they have anything better to do?!" Ron chuckled for a moment, but was silenced by an angry glare. "Oh, so you think this is funny?"

"Not at all," Ron said, raising his hands. "I just think you're funny when you're mad like this." She tried to be angry, but he smiled innocently and all she could do was throw a pitiful glare. Ron peeked his head out around the corner, checking for hiding gossip kids. "I think the cost is clear," he relayed and they headed out.

Not three seconds later, a voice called out, "Hermione!" they turned around to see a third year girl standing in the middle of the hallway. She walked up to them and looked up at the seventh year she had addressed. "Parvati and Lavender would really like to see you, can you come with me?" she said in a sweet voice. Ron and Hermione exchanged a look.

"Um, actually, we're kind of in a hurry," Ron said, backing away. "Can she talk to them later?" The girl grabbed Hermione's hand.

"Oh, no, it's quite urgent!" she said with a smile. Hermione pulled her hand away.

"Well, it'll have to wait, we're busy!" she said quickly. Without giving the girl a chance to respond, she grabbed Ron's hand and ran in the other direction.

Hermione had found the little ally near the front hall in her first year and had used it then to escape the whispers she heard from her classmates. She hadn't been back there since but for a short time in third year when she went on a mad hunt for Scabbers the rat in order to make peace with Ron. Obviously, she had not found use in the spot at that time, but it seemed quite appropriate now.

They had been there for about ten minutes, just sitting in silence against opposite walls. A few times, girls had walked past, but had been in too much of a hurry to check in a little noticed hallway. After a while, Hermione started to chuckle. Catching Ron's eye, he grinned with her. Soon, though, her laughter went beyond just chuckling; becoming an all out guffaw. At this, Ron raised an eyebrow.

"Um, Hermione?" he asked tentatively. "You're kind of scaring me..." She attempted to stifle her laughter, ending up just pursing her lips together and shaking a lot. She was such a sight that Ron joined in the laughter. A few minutes later, their giggles had died enough for Hermione to explain thier source.

"I just keep thinking about how stupid this all is!" she said through chuckles and snorts. "I mean, it's just a few songs! And they're starting to get weird. Do you remember that last girl? She was scary!" Remembrance of this brought on a fresh bout of giddiness to the pair; but noises down the hall caused Ron to shush his friend.

"I'm sure I heard something down this way!" a voice said. Ron and Hermione pressed themselves against the walls, trying to be invisible. But, apparently, she found this movement funny as well, and now had more laughter to suppress. It seemed as though the girls were going to leave without incident, until Hermione let out a high pitched squeak. Her eyes grew wide and she looked around. A moment passed. Nothing happened. After a few more moments, they heard footsteps walking in the other direction. Letting out the breath they had been holding, their eyes met and they started laughing again. Hermione sighed, shaking her head.

"Honestly, I really don't want to deal with this any more toda-"

"Hermione!" a voice shouted down the hall. She jerked her head towards the noise, sighing.

"Really, this is getting ridiculous!" she nearly shouted, leaning her head back against the wall with a frustrated grunt. Ron looked around nervously, hoping that she hadn't been heard. As funny as it had been, she was right. That last girl they had met was really quite scary. He didn't want to have to deal with anything like that anymore, either.

"Keep it down, do you want them to come back?" he asked in a harsh whisper. She laughed loosely, tossing her head back.

"That won't matter if not here to greet them!" she explained, standing and stretching. "Let's go."

"Go where?" he asked, standing as well. She was already walking towards the giant front doors of the castle. When she got to the end of their little alleyway, she peeked around the corners, checking for more scary gossip kids.

"Dunno yet," she said, smiling back at him. She grabbed his wrist suddenly, pulling him out of the hallway and into the Front Hall. It was a mad dash to the doors, then they were greeted by the blinding sunlight.

The day was bright as they raced across the grounds. There were a few students scattered about, but luckily the duo wasn't noticed. Not that they would have cared just then. They were wrapped up in their fun; laughing as they sought out a place they wouldn't be bothered. Suddenly, Hermione stopped, looking down a hill.

"You see that patch of trees down there?" she asked. Ron nodded. "Have you ever seen it before?" he hadn't. In fact, he didn't know anyone who had ever mentioned that particular patch of trees before. As he realized her message, they both smiled.

Neither of them realized how loose the gravel was on the way down. But soon they couldn't ignore it, slipping down and laughing at the spectacle. Then something happened.

To him time whirred in slow motion. She turned with a smile that slowly morphed into a look of shock. There was no sound, nothing was there except for her as she fell in a graceful arc. He saw this before he realized she had slipped and acted before he felt himself move. He didn't know what he was doing, he saw himself dive after her like a spectator; not really there. And so they fell together.

He came to himself when they reached the bottom of the hill. He had taken the brunt of the fall and sustained a few minor cuts and an aching leg. She lay on top of him, coughing through dust, but he could see that she was safe.

None of that mattered, though, as their eyes locked and she smiled. All that he could think of was the distance between them; moving closer with every passing moment. She gingerly brushed a bit of grass out of his hair then moved to touch a cut on his face.

"Are you alright?" she asked in a voice that didn't seem her own; low and airy. He nodded.

"I'll be fine," he mumbled. "Just a few scratches. What about you?"

"I'm great," she murmured back with a smile, her eyes darting between his eyes and his lips. "Thank you for that." Her voice was quieter now as the distance between them was almost closed. "Really. Thank you." He wasn't sure if she had said that or just thought it loudly, and he didn't have time to dwell on that as their lips met.

He kissed her, he kissed her, he kissed her and the world disappeared.

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Hoorah! Chapter four! Review, Kids! Yeah. Those gissip kids got a bit out of hand. Seriously. The last one reminded me of Children of the Corn. Did not mean for that to happen. Anyhoo, thanks to reviewers. In particular (if you've review a lot or left a particuarly long review...)

Commodor Norrington: Thanks! I plan to!

gwasshoppa: Thanks a bunddle! I've really been trying to keep them in character, and it's hard right now for Harry since he's not a big part of this part of the story. Hopefully I'll be able to get him down when he's a bigger character (and he will be, folks. Not the main one, but he has a part to play). And as for the French, I was actually hoping for people who only knew a little, if any, French to read it. Adds to the mystery and whatnot. Though do not fret, that and all other "little blue notebook" mysteries will be explained in their due time.

momo: All in good time, kiddo! I have an idea for you, yet.

NoName: Great name. Also, that's an interesting theory. We'll see how it plays out. Yes I knwo how that's going to be. No, I'm not going to tell you. You just have to read. But you've picked up on a bit of it.