Author's Disclaimer : This story is a work of fiction based on the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. No infringement of any copyright is intended and no profit is being made.

Chapter 5

Surprises

It was Ginny and she sounded strangled "You mean you like him or you like like him?"

He heard Hermione softly whisper "I really like him."

Harry ripped the extendable ears from the wall and fell back into the room. It took him a minute to process what he had just overheard. Hermione really liked somebody. A pang of jealously ran through his body. He desperately hoped that they weren't talking about Vicktor Krum....or anybody else for that matter. "Wait a minute." he heard his subconscious say to him "All you have to do is put the extendable ears back and hear the rest of the conversation."

He felt extremely guilty for eavesdropping on a private conversation. " Mate. You never would have found out on your own. Go ahead and see what else you can hear." said his subconscious again sounding strangely like Ron.

Curiosity got the better of him and he picked up the extendable ears and reluctantly stuck them back in the wall.

"Maybe if I ride naked on a broom." he heard Hermione say and both the girls giggled uncontrollably. Harry blushed as the image flashed through his mind.

"But there's no way I'm going to make the first move. I'm going to let him figure it out on his own." continued Hermione.

"You're in for a long wait then." said Ginny.

"Enough about me. How are things between you and Dean?" asked Hermione.

"Ummm.....If I tell you something do you promise not to tell Ron.....or Harry." replied Ginny.

"Do you even have to ask?" said Hermione.

"Well. On our trip back from Hogwarts, Ron found out that I was no longer dating Michael and acted so....so...happy and smug. I got angry and said I was dating one of his friends just to make him mad. I have no romantic interest in Dean."

"Ron can be such a prat sometimes. Boys!. So are you seeing anyone else?" said Hermione.

There was a long pause before Ginny replied "No. Nobody else."

Hermione sensed her indecision "I'm guessing there is somebody. Please tell me or I'll keep asking until you do."

"He'll never see me that way so please don't make me say his name. Please Hermione." sighed Ginny.

Hermione must have felt the sadness in her voice as she did not push any further.

The girls were silent for a long time and Harry guessed that they were asleep. He quietly edged away from the wall and climbed into his bed. Sleep was not his friend that night as every time he closed his eyes he saw a certain friend flying on a broom, naked.

Harry overslept again and was woken by an irritated Ron.

"Mate. I'm not your alarm clock. You're not going to get breakfast in this house if you sleep so late."

Harry rubbed his forehead and apologized "Sorry Ron. Didn't sleep too well."

"Was it you-know-who ?" said Ron clearly worried.

"No. Not him. Definitely not him. It wasn't anything bad. " said Harry smiling as an image appeared in his mind again.

"Oh. Okay. Then come down quickly. I'm starting without you."

Harry took his time getting ready. He was not sure if he could keep a straight face when he saw Hermione.

She was on the couch and appeared to be writing a letter. Ron was sitting across her with a book on his lap. He was staring at her with a scowl on his face.

"Harry. It's nearly time for lunch. You must be starving. Here have some sausage and eggs." cooed Mrs.Weasley.

He realized that he was very hungry and gratefully ate the wonderful food. He looked around and could not see Ginny anywhere.

"Oh. She felt under the weather this morning and is still sleeping. Hope it's not that nasty flu that's going around." said Mrs.Weasley.

Harry washed his plate and joined Hermione on the couch. She quickly stopped writing and closed her book.

"Homework ?" asked Harry.

"No. She's writing a letter to dear darling Vicky." snorted Ron.

"Yes. It is a letter to my FRIEND Vicktor and it's none of your business." snarled Hermione without looking up.

"Hey. I didn't say anything." said Harry.

Hermione quickly looked up and apologized "Oh. I'm sorry Harry. I was talking to THAT stupid shallow insensitive git."

"No need to apologize. I have no problem with him." said Harry secretly wishing that the owl would drop Vicktor's letter in the sea.

"I think I'll finish this in my room. In Private. See you later Harry." she gave an icy glare to Ron and left the room.

Ron was in a foul mood.

"I don't know why she has to keep writing to that creep. He's old and he's ugly. And you're a much better seeker than him anyway."

Harry was grinning at Ron when a thought struck him. Did Hermione like Krum? Was he the one the girls were talking about last night? Was she writing to tell him how she felt? He felt awful. He knew Vicktor had feelings for Hermione. He suddenly felt mad at Vicktor. His feelings mirrored those that Ron had just expressed.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Ron.

"Harry. We need to talk."

Ron stood up and walked out of the house. Harry was surprised at his serious tone and quickly followed his best friend.

They walked for a while until the Burrow was out of sight. Ron kept walking back and forth staring at the grass below his feet. He seemed to be debating something with himself.

"WHAT is it Ron?" Harry finally asked.

Ron stood still and slowly began to speak

"Harry. You're my closest friend. You know me better than anybody else. I've been wanting to tell you something for a while and wanted your help with something. Promise me you won't laugh....."

"Ron. You know that I'll do anything that I possibly can for you. And I promise I won't laugh."

Ron smiled and continued.

"I've been feeling something for about two years. I didn't know what to do about it. Now I think I have to do something soon or it may be too late. Harry....Mate......I think I love Hermione."

Harry felt like a knife had been thrust into his belly. He hoped that his true feelings weren't showing on his face. He had to say something...anything.

"Ummm...I don't think I heard you straight. You love somebody." he muttered.

"Yeah. I love Hermione. Ever since our fourth year. That's why I got so mad at Krum." said Ron.

"Oh. I see."

There was an awkward silence between the two before Ron spoke again.

"The reason I'm telling you this is that I haven't been able to do anything about it. And she seems very friendly with Krum. What if he asks her out and she says yes? She would have never known my true feelings. I could never live with myself."

Harry could feel the emotion in Ron's voice. He knew it had taken Ron a lot of courage to talk to him. At the same time he could not help feeling annoyed with his best friend.

"Errr...Why are you telling me this?" he asked

"Well...You have some experience. You have actually been on a date and have kissed a girl."

"But my date was horrible and she broke up with me after.....and the kiss was all wet." sputtered Harry.

"Harry....I'm a million times worse. I mean you had to get me a date for the Yule Ball. Hermione thinks I have the emotional range of a teaspoon. I'm sure I'll make a complete fool of myself if I try something. Please Harry. I need your help. You're the only one who knows her better than me. Please." begged Ron.

Harry grimaced. Ron obviously had feelings for Hermione. Maybe she could have feelings for him too. His two best friends. His head throbbed as he came to a decision. He would hide his feelings for Hermione if it meant that she could be happy with Ron.

"I'll try and help you any way I can Ron." he said softly with an aching heart.

"Thank you. Thank you. I knew I could count on you. Thank you Harry. Come on. It's time for lunch and I'm starving." said Ron and he skipped towards the Burrow.

Harry could not remember a time that he had been more depressed.

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This chapter was harder to write than the first four. Hope you all enjoy it. Thanks for all of your wonderful reviews.