A/n: We know, we know: This really seems like a Ron/Hermione, but you are wrong! It is actually a Ginny/Draco, they just aren't here yet. This is all leading up to something, keep reading and you will see. You'll all see.

Chapter 3

Screams Unheard

Hermione's entrance to the kitchen was accompanied by the chuckles and the catcalls of the twins, who (of course) assumed that Ron and Hermione had done the absolute worst in that bathroom.

"So, have you finally done the dirty deed?" Fred asked, thinking it all very hilarious.

"Have you taught our baby brother a few new tricks?" George asks, his face as serious as he could keep it.

"Oh, you two shush!" Hermione snipped. Ron couldn't help staring at her. Those eyes...that hair...her smile...

Hermione knew he was looking at her, but for once she didn't care. Oh, what would Ginny think! Hermione sat down on a stool, finally eating her breakfast. Ron sat next to her and almost screamed when he felt her hand grasp his. Hermione threw him a look that shouted 'Yes, I did that on purpose and no, don't tell anyone.' He smiled and resisted the urge to grab her and drag her right back to the bathroom.

A week had passed since the bathroom encounter, and it was now time to return to school. The four teens were packing away their trunks into the back of Mr. Weasly's car (the trunk was magically expanded). Ginny was ecstatic- she had already been in the school for six years and she was already pretty popular (as soon as she got a few feet away from Harry, she was a whole different person.) Harry felt something was up between Ron and Hermione; either they'd sit next to each other with weird expressions and talk to ANYONE else other than each other or they would completely ignore/avoid each other. This gave Harry time to talk to Hermione one on one. He had to admit; he had a little bit of a crush on her. For the first time since he met her, he had noticed how pretty she really was. And although he didn't want to admit it, he was pretty sure her newfound curves had something to do with it. He was also noticing that if you got her away from school talk, she was extremely interesting to talk to.

Sitting in the car, Ginny sat up front (to feel like a big shot) next to her father; Hermione, Ron, and Harry in the back seat (Harry looking rather disappointed he didn't get the seat next to Hermione.) No one talked for the whole ride; there was an uneasy silence between Ron and Harry, but Hermione didn't understand why, nor did she want to (figuring it was either something vile, something boy-ish, or something about her curves.) Harry and Ron had not spoken of it, but both knew. They were each competing for Hermione Lee Granger. Another unspoken agreement: Whatever happened, they would try to not let this ruin their friendship. Let the best man win.

Hermione sat there, looking out the window, when suddenly she heard a loud scream. "WHAT!?" she shouted, causing Mr. Weasly to jolt (sending the car to plummet down.). "Why did you do that, Hermione?!"

"D...didn't Ginny sc...scream?"

"I didn't scream," Ginny replied, looking at her skeptically.

"We...well someone did."

"Hermione..." Ginny started out slowly, "No one screamed. Are you...okay?"

Hermione looked at the back of Ginny's head defiantly, "There was a scream. I heard it. AND I'm just fine Ginerva!"

She smirked as Ginny scowled at the sound of her first name.

"Hermione, you're scaring me. There was no scream." When Hermione shook her head yet again, he got irritated. "HERMIONE! THERE WAS NO SCREAM! It's impossible for 3 people to not hear something and have 1 person hear it!"

"There's 4 people in the car."

"What? That's not the point!"

"Your math skills are simply.."

"HERMIONE!"

"Never mind then. It was probably just my imagination, I didn't get much sleep last night..." Hermione sighed, she didn't want her friends to think she was insane.

Ron and Ginny nodded in satisfaction, Harry, however, still looked a bit worried.

"Maybe it was a squirrel?" Ron said, trying to be helpful.

"Do squirrels make high-pitched, deathly, ear-shattering screams?"

"Well...no."

"Then no, Ron, it wasn't a squirrel."

Ron looked away. It'd be a lot easier to be helpful if Hermione wasn't acting all smart all the time. Where was a good bathroom when you needed one? Ron made a mental note: When Hermione's pissed, seek out nearest lavatory.

The rest of the car ride was rather uneventful. Ron, Ginny, and Harry all chattered happily about quidditch, as Hermione read '101 Potion Ingredients and there properties'. Before they knew it, they were parked in front of Kings Cross train station, just minutes before the train was scheduled to leave.

Getting out of the car, Ginny and Ron squeezed their father while Hermione politely hugged Mr. Weasly and Harry stuck his hand up in wave-like form.

Crossing over the barrier to platform 9 and 3/4, Hermione looked very cross herself.

"What's the ma--"

"Ron, couldn't we have gotten a little bit earlier? I wanted to see..."

"Wanted to see...?"

"Uuhh...wanted to see...all my friends! I haven't seen Pavarati and the gang in so long," Hermione lied.

"Herms?"

"Ron, don't ask me if I'm okay. I heard a scream no one else did. I'm obviously insane, and if you keep bugging me I'll never go into a bathroom with you again." Ron gulped, nodded, and backed off.

Hermione laughed to herself over how much power she had over Ron. They all found a compartment together, and chatted about the upcoming school year. About half an hour into the ride, Hermione said abruptly, "Ron! We should get to the prefects compartment! We have to check in, we are heads after all!"

Ron and Harry exchanged secretive looks.

"He'll be there in a minute Hermione." Harry said casual.

"O-Kay..." Hermione said, cocking an eyebrow. What were these two up too? Did it matter? Depends...

"Go ahead without me, Herms," Ron said.

"Ookaayy..." Hermione left the compartment, but stood outside of the door, listening in quietly.

"Ron, what's been going on between you and Hermione? I want to know." Harry said in an accusing tone.

"Nothing that's any of your business Harry." Ron replied, Hermione could tell he was rolling his eyes.

"Tell me Ron."

"Why?"

"Because I want to know!"

"Fine, we've kissed. We've slept together, as in side by side, not slept together"

Harry's reply was angry, "Back off Ron, I want to ask her out, you've had six years! It's my turn"

HIS TURN!? HIS TURN!? WHAT AM I, A BOARD GAME? AM I OPERATION? AT LEAST TELL ME WHAT BOARD GAME I AM! Hermione thought bitterly. She had to literally hold on to the door behind her to keep herself from running in there and strangling them. Or maybe she'd murder them. She'd figure it out later.

"What ever Harry. We're friends, we shouldn't let a girl, Hermione or whoever, get in the way of that! She'll choose who she wants, and the other will just have to live with it."

"But...you'll be living with her! You have an unfair advantage!"

"What are you talking about? You're the 'boy who lived'!" Ron said in a huff, Hermione heard him stand. She knew he'd be making his dramatic exit, so she took off towards the prefects compartment.

Out of breath, Hermione stood in the prefect's compartment, acting as if nothing happened, and sat down coolly. Ron came in and said, "Sorry that took so long, 'Mione."

"No...problem." She couldn't help thinking about the conversation. Who was the bad guy? Well, it seemed Harry was wrong, but so was Ron.. But, she just couldn't stay mad at Ron.

She watched as Ron pushed his tousled hair out of his electric blue eys as he signed in, she felt butterflies fill her stomach. She loved his eyes, his hair...even his freckles. She glanced around, no one else was in the compartment. She walked to the door, and locked it smoothly.

"What are you doing 'Mione?" Ron asked confused.

"Sh.." she replied as she walked up to him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, when suddenly the train jolted to a stop , causing Hermione to fall on top of Ron, and the lights flickered off. He didn't mind. All of a sudden, Hermione wasn't on top of him anymore. The lights flickered back on, and he saw his 'Mione was gone. The compartment door still locked.