Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J.K. Rowling except for the one-legged newt on crack.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I know there hasn't been a lot of flirting going on but this chapter should put an end to that streak. I was really tired of writing the melancholy stuff. AmyChris said something that was really funny. I was actually planning on having Ron get jealous of Draco but if it happens it won't be in this chapter. Maybe at the end when Ron explains himself he can mention his jealousy over Draco. Thanks to luckyducky8200 for the compliment. My writing is a piece of chewed up gum on the sidewalk compared to the Harry Potter books but thanks for saying that my story is almost like reading them! Thanks to Jessjica for being such an awesome reviewer. I love how you're so specific in the things that you like so that I know you really enjoyed the chapter. Keep up the great work! Hope you all like this one.
Forgiveness is Sweet
The next several weeks passed in a flurry of homework and Head Girl obligations. Before I could take a breath, September had suddenly turned into October and October had morphed into chilly November. Ron hadn't spoken to me since our argument on the train but it didn't seem to be bothering him very much. I could find him flirting with some girl at every meal, in all of our classes, or in the Library. Parvati and Lavender seemed to be his favorites and more often than not you could find them flirting in the very back of the Library. No matter how hard I tried not to, I would find myself daydreaming about how his blue eyes would turn green when he was angry or how his nose crinkled up when he thought something was really funny. I noticed him looking at me sometimes but it was always just for a fleeting moment. He probably thought it was funny to go around being happy when I was so obviously miserable.
Living with Malfoy turned out to be better than I expected but he wasn't any match for Ron. He really was quite funny when he wasn't trying to "out snob" one of his Slytherin friends. On top of that my Head Girl duties and homework were taking up the majority of my time so I never got to talk to Ginny or Harry. On the positive side, I never spent enough time sleeping to have my nightmare but that really wasn't a bonus. Any spare time I had I spent it in the Library trying to find information on the Combibo Cognatus Potion which I was having a difficult time finding in the Library.
By the end of November I was coming to the end of my very frayed rope so it came as no surprise when I finally broke down one day in Potions. It had been a very trying morning full of sobbing first years and mischievous sixth year pranksters. I was nearing the end of yet another horrible Potions class and my potion sat simmering in the last stages of completion. Professor Snape had assigned partners at the beginning of the year and to my horror he had put Draco and I together. Harry, who was partnered with Neville, was situated far across the room from me but Ron and his partner Parvati were right next my table. Usually it wasn't too bad working with Draco because he would always whisper jokes to me when no one was watching. I had actually lost Gryffindor quite a few points due to what Professor Snape termed "outrageous fits of noise that upset the classroom environment." As I sat there in bored silence I couldn't help but listen in on the conversation going on to the right of me.
In a high pitched giggly voice Parvati was saying, "Oh Ron! Like you're sooooooo funny! I like can't stop like laughing!" Ron beamed at her but I noticed his eyes kept darting towards me the whole time.
Snorting slightly, I bent over my cauldron, glanced in at the bubbling contents, and gave it a routine stir. Sitting the large wooden spoon next to a nearby jar of powdered dung beetles, I glanced back over at Parvati and almost vomited on the spot. Ron, who had his arm wrapped around Parvati, was staring intently into the cow's face and he looked as if he might bend down to kiss her at any second. Whipping around to face the front of the room, I inadvertently knocked over the jar of powdered beetles and the charcoal-tinted powder went cascading into my steaming cauldron. In less than a second, my potion turned a putrid green color and began to boil over onto the desktop. Gasping, I leaped back from the mess and before I could say a word Professor Snape was at my side.
"Move aside you stupid girl!" I was pushed to the side as Snape cleaned up the spilt potion with one flick of his wand. There appeared to be no harm done but I was more than ashamed. I had never made a mistake before but now I had messed up on one of the simpler potions we had experimented with. A scowl slashing his sallow face, the Professor said, "That will be twenty points from Gryffindor Miss Granger for endangering the lives of your fellow classmates. You will receive an incomplete on today's assignment and the Headmaster will be informed of your recklessness. I expected more of the Head Girl. I don't feel like dealing with you outside of the classroom or I would assign detention. Mr. Malfoy you need not worry. You will receive full marks for today. If you would kindly take your seat Miss Granger the rest of us can get back to work. Everyone stop gawking!" Trying to keep from bursting into tears, I slid in to my chair and kept my eyes trained on a slug that was crawling for its freedom across the tabletop. The rest of the class went back to work immediately so at least I didn't have to worry about curious stares.
Well at least most of the class went back to work. Parvati seemed extremely keen on talking to me about what has just happened and no amount of silent glares seemed to shut her up. In a loud voice devoid of her previous giggles she said, "I've noticed that you've been acting weird lately Hermione. Not that you don't normally act weird but you're potion accident is proof that something is definitely wrong. I think you're just frustrated from sexual tension. I know you're not...the best looking girl around but I'm sure you could get someone to go out with you. I don't have to worry about boys you know but maybe I could...help you?"
Biting the inside of my cheek, I ground out, "I don't need your help Parvati. I could get a boyfriend if I wanted one. I think we all know your reputation for...certain things is the only reason why guys bother with you."
In a shock filled voice Parvati replied, "Why Hermione Granger! I can't believe you! I was only trying to help you and all you can do is be ungrateful. You know what I think? I think you're just jealous that Ron and I are so in love! You're used to him giving you all of his attention and now you're mad because he has better things...to do."
I hadn't expected Parvati to hit so close to the truth so when she said that I was shocked and enraged. Jumping out of my seat, I screwed up my face in anger and gave the stupid twit a piece of my mind. "I'm not jealous of you! You're just a...just a slut! I don't care who Ron goes out with but I know he deserves someone better than you. A lot better than you!" My voice cracked on the last word and I rushed from the classroom before the tears started falling. A voice behind me bellowed my name but I didn't bother to slow my pace. I sprinted into the hallway, out of the dungeons, and out into the Entrance Hall. The sound of my shoes pounding against the tiled floor rang in my ears and my lungs started to burn from lack of air but I kept running. I wrenched open the main doors and dashed out into the crisp November air. I tripped over a tree root near the bank of the lake or I might have kept running forever. My hands catching my fall, I settled onto the icy ground and that was when I registered footfalls somewhere behind me.
Turning around, I only had to glimpse the tuft of familiar red hair to know that Ron was the person heading toward me. Rubbing my hands down my arms for warmth, I turned back around and a fresh wave of tears hit me. Before I knew it Ron had collapsed next to me and snatched me up into his arms. I must have missed the warmth of his embrace more than I thought because all I could do was burrow closer to his warm body. We stayed like that for what seemed like hours, me with my head snuggled into his thick cable knit sweater and him with his face buried in my loose mane of hair. After a while his arms unclamped from around my waist and I found myself looking up into Ron's clear azure gaze.
Sniffling lightly in the cold air I whispered, "I'm sorry I've acted so strangely lately. It's just been a lot to handle. You know becoming Head Girl and everything with You-Know-Who. I hope you can forgive me." It was a good sign that he had followed me out here but I still was unsure of our situation. I had said some pretty rotten things and I wasn't sure if Ron was ready to forgive me. I wasn't even sure if I was ready to forgive Ron yet.
Chuckling lightly, Ron looked into my eyes and whispered, "I don't have to forgive you Hermione. I was never really that mad at you. Just stubbornness I suppose." My eyes started to leak at that comment and Ron pulled me up against his chest again. His voice muffled slightly by my hair he said, "I hope you can forgive me. I was acting like a prat saying those things to you. I was about something and I took it out on you."
Pressing my nose against his throat, I asked, "What were you confused about?"
Ron just took a deep gulp of air, set me away from him, and said, "Nothing that I can tell you about right now. It'll come when...I think we're both ready for it." Smiling mysteriously, Ron gently grasped the sides of my face in his hands and wiped away the lingering tears with his thumbs. Long after all the tears were gone Ron continued to brush his finger tips over my face and it wasn't long until I felt my cheeks blush lightly. Just as I was about to pull my head back, he bent forward slowly and lightly kissed the tip of my nose. As he stood up from the ground and offered me an arm, I couldn't help but gape up at him. Knowing fully well that I probably looked like a fish, I slipped my arm into his and let him lead me up towards the castle.
As we marched up the lawn, Ron looked over at me and said, "You know Snape isn't going to like the fact that we ran out of his class."
Wrinkling my nose, I replied, "Yeah he'll probably give us both detention." As we reached the large wooden doors Ron stopped suddenly and turned me toward him.
He crooked a finger under my chin, tilted my head up until I was looking him in the eyes, and said in a serious tone, "I'm glad we're friends again Hermione. I haven't stopped thinking about You-Know-Who's threat and I plan on helping you research the potion the Order mentioned. I've noticed that you've been busy with the Head Girl thing so you haven't had a lot of time to look it up. I...wouldn't be able to live without you Hermione. I promise I won't ever let anything happen to you. You can count on that."
Smiling up into his handsome face, I wrapped my hand around the finger under my chin and brought it up to my mouth. I touched my lips to the tip and laughed inside at his dazed expression. In a teasing tone I said, "You had better not let Parvati hear you saying things like that or she might get jealous."
Recovering slowly from his surprise, Ron fumbled for something to say but eventually he replied, "I don't care what Parvati thinks. You're the only girl I have to worry about." My cheeks turning crimson, I nodded my head and walked into the warm castle as Ron held the door open for me. There were still a lot of things we had to talk about but right now I just wanted to sink into the feeling of having Ron back. He hadn't admitted his undying love for me yet but being friends again was a good start.
A/N: Yes! Fluff! I love fluff! Fluff is good! Does happy dance I'm excited to be over with all the fighting business. If it seems like she forgave him quickly don't worry about it. She'll ask more questions and think about things more in the next couple of chapters. They will also get into the importance of the potion in the next couple chapters. Please review! Pretty please! I almost have 70 and that's so awesome! I don't know if I can but if I could break 100 reviews by the time this whole story is over than I would be one happy camper. There are still quite a few chapters to go so if you guys stick with me then I think I can do it. Thanks for all the reviews so far! Until later!
Lots of Love - Miss Dissendium
P.S. My 16th birthday is tomorrow! I go for my driver's license! It's so exciting! Wish me luck!
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I know there hasn't been a lot of flirting going on but this chapter should put an end to that streak. I was really tired of writing the melancholy stuff. AmyChris said something that was really funny. I was actually planning on having Ron get jealous of Draco but if it happens it won't be in this chapter. Maybe at the end when Ron explains himself he can mention his jealousy over Draco. Thanks to luckyducky8200 for the compliment. My writing is a piece of chewed up gum on the sidewalk compared to the Harry Potter books but thanks for saying that my story is almost like reading them! Thanks to Jessjica for being such an awesome reviewer. I love how you're so specific in the things that you like so that I know you really enjoyed the chapter. Keep up the great work! Hope you all like this one.
Forgiveness is Sweet
The next several weeks passed in a flurry of homework and Head Girl obligations. Before I could take a breath, September had suddenly turned into October and October had morphed into chilly November. Ron hadn't spoken to me since our argument on the train but it didn't seem to be bothering him very much. I could find him flirting with some girl at every meal, in all of our classes, or in the Library. Parvati and Lavender seemed to be his favorites and more often than not you could find them flirting in the very back of the Library. No matter how hard I tried not to, I would find myself daydreaming about how his blue eyes would turn green when he was angry or how his nose crinkled up when he thought something was really funny. I noticed him looking at me sometimes but it was always just for a fleeting moment. He probably thought it was funny to go around being happy when I was so obviously miserable.
Living with Malfoy turned out to be better than I expected but he wasn't any match for Ron. He really was quite funny when he wasn't trying to "out snob" one of his Slytherin friends. On top of that my Head Girl duties and homework were taking up the majority of my time so I never got to talk to Ginny or Harry. On the positive side, I never spent enough time sleeping to have my nightmare but that really wasn't a bonus. Any spare time I had I spent it in the Library trying to find information on the Combibo Cognatus Potion which I was having a difficult time finding in the Library.
By the end of November I was coming to the end of my very frayed rope so it came as no surprise when I finally broke down one day in Potions. It had been a very trying morning full of sobbing first years and mischievous sixth year pranksters. I was nearing the end of yet another horrible Potions class and my potion sat simmering in the last stages of completion. Professor Snape had assigned partners at the beginning of the year and to my horror he had put Draco and I together. Harry, who was partnered with Neville, was situated far across the room from me but Ron and his partner Parvati were right next my table. Usually it wasn't too bad working with Draco because he would always whisper jokes to me when no one was watching. I had actually lost Gryffindor quite a few points due to what Professor Snape termed "outrageous fits of noise that upset the classroom environment." As I sat there in bored silence I couldn't help but listen in on the conversation going on to the right of me.
In a high pitched giggly voice Parvati was saying, "Oh Ron! Like you're sooooooo funny! I like can't stop like laughing!" Ron beamed at her but I noticed his eyes kept darting towards me the whole time.
Snorting slightly, I bent over my cauldron, glanced in at the bubbling contents, and gave it a routine stir. Sitting the large wooden spoon next to a nearby jar of powdered dung beetles, I glanced back over at Parvati and almost vomited on the spot. Ron, who had his arm wrapped around Parvati, was staring intently into the cow's face and he looked as if he might bend down to kiss her at any second. Whipping around to face the front of the room, I inadvertently knocked over the jar of powdered beetles and the charcoal-tinted powder went cascading into my steaming cauldron. In less than a second, my potion turned a putrid green color and began to boil over onto the desktop. Gasping, I leaped back from the mess and before I could say a word Professor Snape was at my side.
"Move aside you stupid girl!" I was pushed to the side as Snape cleaned up the spilt potion with one flick of his wand. There appeared to be no harm done but I was more than ashamed. I had never made a mistake before but now I had messed up on one of the simpler potions we had experimented with. A scowl slashing his sallow face, the Professor said, "That will be twenty points from Gryffindor Miss Granger for endangering the lives of your fellow classmates. You will receive an incomplete on today's assignment and the Headmaster will be informed of your recklessness. I expected more of the Head Girl. I don't feel like dealing with you outside of the classroom or I would assign detention. Mr. Malfoy you need not worry. You will receive full marks for today. If you would kindly take your seat Miss Granger the rest of us can get back to work. Everyone stop gawking!" Trying to keep from bursting into tears, I slid in to my chair and kept my eyes trained on a slug that was crawling for its freedom across the tabletop. The rest of the class went back to work immediately so at least I didn't have to worry about curious stares.
Well at least most of the class went back to work. Parvati seemed extremely keen on talking to me about what has just happened and no amount of silent glares seemed to shut her up. In a loud voice devoid of her previous giggles she said, "I've noticed that you've been acting weird lately Hermione. Not that you don't normally act weird but you're potion accident is proof that something is definitely wrong. I think you're just frustrated from sexual tension. I know you're not...the best looking girl around but I'm sure you could get someone to go out with you. I don't have to worry about boys you know but maybe I could...help you?"
Biting the inside of my cheek, I ground out, "I don't need your help Parvati. I could get a boyfriend if I wanted one. I think we all know your reputation for...certain things is the only reason why guys bother with you."
In a shock filled voice Parvati replied, "Why Hermione Granger! I can't believe you! I was only trying to help you and all you can do is be ungrateful. You know what I think? I think you're just jealous that Ron and I are so in love! You're used to him giving you all of his attention and now you're mad because he has better things...to do."
I hadn't expected Parvati to hit so close to the truth so when she said that I was shocked and enraged. Jumping out of my seat, I screwed up my face in anger and gave the stupid twit a piece of my mind. "I'm not jealous of you! You're just a...just a slut! I don't care who Ron goes out with but I know he deserves someone better than you. A lot better than you!" My voice cracked on the last word and I rushed from the classroom before the tears started falling. A voice behind me bellowed my name but I didn't bother to slow my pace. I sprinted into the hallway, out of the dungeons, and out into the Entrance Hall. The sound of my shoes pounding against the tiled floor rang in my ears and my lungs started to burn from lack of air but I kept running. I wrenched open the main doors and dashed out into the crisp November air. I tripped over a tree root near the bank of the lake or I might have kept running forever. My hands catching my fall, I settled onto the icy ground and that was when I registered footfalls somewhere behind me.
Turning around, I only had to glimpse the tuft of familiar red hair to know that Ron was the person heading toward me. Rubbing my hands down my arms for warmth, I turned back around and a fresh wave of tears hit me. Before I knew it Ron had collapsed next to me and snatched me up into his arms. I must have missed the warmth of his embrace more than I thought because all I could do was burrow closer to his warm body. We stayed like that for what seemed like hours, me with my head snuggled into his thick cable knit sweater and him with his face buried in my loose mane of hair. After a while his arms unclamped from around my waist and I found myself looking up into Ron's clear azure gaze.
Sniffling lightly in the cold air I whispered, "I'm sorry I've acted so strangely lately. It's just been a lot to handle. You know becoming Head Girl and everything with You-Know-Who. I hope you can forgive me." It was a good sign that he had followed me out here but I still was unsure of our situation. I had said some pretty rotten things and I wasn't sure if Ron was ready to forgive me. I wasn't even sure if I was ready to forgive Ron yet.
Chuckling lightly, Ron looked into my eyes and whispered, "I don't have to forgive you Hermione. I was never really that mad at you. Just stubbornness I suppose." My eyes started to leak at that comment and Ron pulled me up against his chest again. His voice muffled slightly by my hair he said, "I hope you can forgive me. I was acting like a prat saying those things to you. I was about something and I took it out on you."
Pressing my nose against his throat, I asked, "What were you confused about?"
Ron just took a deep gulp of air, set me away from him, and said, "Nothing that I can tell you about right now. It'll come when...I think we're both ready for it." Smiling mysteriously, Ron gently grasped the sides of my face in his hands and wiped away the lingering tears with his thumbs. Long after all the tears were gone Ron continued to brush his finger tips over my face and it wasn't long until I felt my cheeks blush lightly. Just as I was about to pull my head back, he bent forward slowly and lightly kissed the tip of my nose. As he stood up from the ground and offered me an arm, I couldn't help but gape up at him. Knowing fully well that I probably looked like a fish, I slipped my arm into his and let him lead me up towards the castle.
As we marched up the lawn, Ron looked over at me and said, "You know Snape isn't going to like the fact that we ran out of his class."
Wrinkling my nose, I replied, "Yeah he'll probably give us both detention." As we reached the large wooden doors Ron stopped suddenly and turned me toward him.
He crooked a finger under my chin, tilted my head up until I was looking him in the eyes, and said in a serious tone, "I'm glad we're friends again Hermione. I haven't stopped thinking about You-Know-Who's threat and I plan on helping you research the potion the Order mentioned. I've noticed that you've been busy with the Head Girl thing so you haven't had a lot of time to look it up. I...wouldn't be able to live without you Hermione. I promise I won't ever let anything happen to you. You can count on that."
Smiling up into his handsome face, I wrapped my hand around the finger under my chin and brought it up to my mouth. I touched my lips to the tip and laughed inside at his dazed expression. In a teasing tone I said, "You had better not let Parvati hear you saying things like that or she might get jealous."
Recovering slowly from his surprise, Ron fumbled for something to say but eventually he replied, "I don't care what Parvati thinks. You're the only girl I have to worry about." My cheeks turning crimson, I nodded my head and walked into the warm castle as Ron held the door open for me. There were still a lot of things we had to talk about but right now I just wanted to sink into the feeling of having Ron back. He hadn't admitted his undying love for me yet but being friends again was a good start.
A/N: Yes! Fluff! I love fluff! Fluff is good! Does happy dance I'm excited to be over with all the fighting business. If it seems like she forgave him quickly don't worry about it. She'll ask more questions and think about things more in the next couple of chapters. They will also get into the importance of the potion in the next couple chapters. Please review! Pretty please! I almost have 70 and that's so awesome! I don't know if I can but if I could break 100 reviews by the time this whole story is over than I would be one happy camper. There are still quite a few chapters to go so if you guys stick with me then I think I can do it. Thanks for all the reviews so far! Until later!
Lots of Love - Miss Dissendium
P.S. My 16th birthday is tomorrow! I go for my driver's license! It's so exciting! Wish me luck!
