Chapter 7 – Memories
The next day, the Gryffindors were all surprised to find out that their Herbology final had been moved to 2 pm that day – Harry, Ron and Hermione all realised why and were grateful for the extra hours of sleep Professor Dumbledore had allowed them. When Harry finally stirred after an extra 3 hours sleep, he was surprised to find Ron already awake and sitting by his bed. He reached for his glasses.
"How long have you been sitting there?" Harry asked sleepily
"Just about an hour" Ron said nonchalantly
"So you've been waiting for me to wake up?" Harry looked amused. He knew there had to be something on Ron's mind – for one thing, he never got up before Harry, in fact, on some occasions, Harry remembered having to shake Ron awake – so this was definitely an unusual occurrence.
"Well – sort of - there's something I need to tell you" Ron said eagerly "It's driving me crazy not knowing what to do…"
Ron continued after Harry shot him an I'm-completely-lost look
"The other night, when Hermione and I were up on the Astronomy tower, we didn't just have a food fight…"
"I knew it!" Harry exclaimed triumphantly "I knew there was more to the story!"
Ron looked down at his toes – he could feel himself turning red again.
"Well – go on then – don't keep me in suspense!" Harry coaxed
Ron continued, all the while still studying his shoes "Well, I sort of kissed her" he said, barely audible.
"Sorry, what was that?" Harry asked, even though he'd heard perfectly well what Ron had said "I didn't quite hear you…" he put his hand up to his ear.
"I said -" Ron repeated, looking up to guage Harry's reaction "I kissed Hermione!"
Harry was sitting there with a smug grin all over his face.
"Well, it's about time, don't you think!" he commented eventually "You've only been in love with her for years!"
Ron laughed.
"I know, I know" he said "but Harry – she doesn't remember! I finally kissed her – after all this time – and it was so amazing - and she doesn't even remember it! What am I going to do? She won't understand if I tell her I kissed her – She'll want to know why and how and…"
"Maybe you won't have to tell her" Harry said, looking thoughtful "I mean, she could still get her memory back"
"After what Dumbledore said, it doesn't look very likely…" Ron said, frowning.
"Hey - Don't give up - We haven't even tried the Occlumency on her yet…"
Ron reluctantly nodded his agreement.
"I think you're right about not telling her though – I'm not too sure how she'd react" Harry said
"So I guess it's decided then – I shouldn't tell her" Ron stated glumly.
"Cheer up" Harry said encouragingly "I'm guessing by what you said that she kissed you back?"
Ron nodded, and smiled as he remembered what she'd said to him after he kissed her - that was good too.
"So, then what do you look so depressed for!" Harry exclaimed "at least now you know how she'll react next time – she must like you or she'd never have let you kiss her"
It took a few seconds for Harry's words to sink in – and then suddenly Ron realised what Harry was saying –
Of course! He had been so pre-occupied with worrying about Hermione and what Voldermort was doing to her that he hadn't stopped to consider what that kiss actually meant – Hermione must have feelings for him!
"You really think…" he stammered, still in shock as his brain struggled to process this new information Hermione likes me! Could it really be true? His whole face lit up, as Harry eyed him curiously.
"Yes Ron, I really think that. I mean, do you ever remember Hermione having a boyfriend? Don't you think it's strange, considering all the attention the rest of the guys give her, that she hasn't gone out with anyone?"
"Well, that's because she's always hanging out with us" Ron said matter-of-factly
"Exactly!" said Harry, as if Ron just proved his point "I mean, who would spend all their time with their best friend, when they could be going out with a potential boyfriend, unless…"
"Unless, she has feelings for her best friend?"
"Yes" said Harry "starting to see my point?"
"Yeah, suddenly it seems really obvious" Ron felt his ears start to burn How could he have been so thick?
"Well, anyway" Harry continued "don't worry about it now – we've all got a lot to keep us busy – and hopefully the Occlumency will help Hermione remember and then you won't have to say anything…"
"I guess you're right Mate" Ron agreed "but I can tell you one thing – I don't think I can go through another night like last night – I really thought something terrible…"
"I know" said Harry "but remember what Dumbledore said – about true love - it's the best weapon we have"
"Yeah – and now I have to try and explain that to Hermione" Ron exclaimed "thanks to you!"
Harry chuckled "Yeah, sorry, I couldn't resist"
Ron shook his head in mock disapproval "Honestly! And you call yourself my best friend!" he grinned and then stood up, looking at Harry expectantly "C'mon, time to get out of bed Mate!"
"Yeah, some breakfast would be good" Harry said
"Breakfast!" Ron chuckled "you mean, lunch, don't you!"
Harry glanced over at his clock and grinned – it was already twelve!
"Well – lunch, whatever!" Harry said, climbing out of bed "the point is I'm hungry!" he said, and quickly got dressed and they both made their way down to the Great Hall.
"That was terrible!" Hermione exclaimed, as she, Harry and Ron made their way back from their Herbology final. Harry and Ron exchanged their usual exasperated look.
"You always say that!" Ron argued
"Yeah, and then you get 115 percent!" Harry added
"Yes but…" she defended pointlessly "I could've done better…"
Ron rolled his eyes "Not likely!"
It was a ridiculous little argument that the three of them had often - but today was different. Ron found an odd sort of comfort in its triviality – after the previous day's dramatic events, he was grateful for the insignificant familiarities of every day life.
"Well, at least it's over!" Harry said, hoping to end the meaningless dispute
"You can say that again!" Ron agreed
"No, seriously guys – it's weird – I remember studying really hard for Herbology, up to chapter 7 but when I got to the exam it's like my mind went blank!"
"Hermione, I'm sure it wasn't that bad…" Ron interrupted
"Hold on – there's more" she stated quickly "and this is the weird part: I don't remember studying at all for chapters 8 to 12, but in the exam, those were the chapters I seemed to know!"
Ron and Harry looked at her curiously –
"Chapter 8 – that's…" Harry started, trying to make sense of it
"Sunflower Trees!" Ron exclaimed suddenly, remembering the night before.
"Yes – Sunflower Trees – I seem to know an awful lot about them, considering we only went over them once in class!" Hermione said, confused.
"Ron – what is it?" Harry asked curiously – Ron looked like he was seriously contemplating something.
"Well - I'm not sure what's going on here" he said hesitantly "but Sunflower Trees – that was the chapter we started our studying at last night…"
Hermione looked at him in disbelief.
"So, I can't remember anything about what we studied last night but somehow, today in the exam, it all just comes back to me? I don't get it – I didn't remember this stuff - it was like it was second nature or something!" She stated, completely perplexed.
"Well – those memories had to have come from somewhere!" Harry exclaimed "So I'm guessing that your memories were not completely erased – just buried somewhere deep in your subconscious…"
"Really weird!" Ron exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear "But this is great!"
Hermione shot Ron an inquisitive look "Yes, its great news Ron – but you'd swear it was your memory!"
"What?" Ron defended "I can't be worried about you?"
Hermione blushed slightly before recovering "Uh, no – I mean, yes, but well – I'm curious"
"Curious?" Ron asked, puzzled
Hermione looked over at Harry as if he'd suddenly transformed into a third wheel – why did she feel so awkward having this conversation in front of him?
"It's just that – well - why are you so worried about me getting my memory back? It was only one day, right? And we were just studying, right? So - unless…" she paused to look at Ron, who was desperately trying to stay calm, even though he could feel his ears turning red and his heart throbbing violently "Unless something happened…" she finished, looking at him expectantly
"Like what?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
"I don't know! That's what I'm trying to figure out!" Hermione yelled in frustration "And you're not helping!"
Ron shot Harry a quick look of desperation and Harry caught on at once –
"I think we better get going" he said quickly "We've got Occlumency before and after dinner tonight, remember?"
"Oh right!" Ron added quickly "We've got to be there in a few minutes!"
"But..." Hermione started to object
"C'mon Hermione" Ron said, starting to walk away "this is important – you want to get your memories back, don't you?"
"Yes, but why can't you just…" she began
But she was interrupted yet again -
"Hey guys" it was Ginny, walking towards them "where are you all off to in such a hurry?"
"Hey Gin" Harry greeted, giving her a quick kiss "we're heading off to Dumbledore's office… for Occlumency"
"Oh right – I forgot about that" she answered "well – I'll see you at dinner then?"
"Yeah" Harry replied
"Ginny wait… can I speak to you for a second?"" Ron said quickly, seizing the opportunity to escape Hermione's persistent enquiries
"Yeah sure - What is it?" Ginny asked
"Uh – I'll catch up to you guys in a minute" he said to Harry, as Hermione angrily stomped past him and Ginny. When they were out of earshot, Ron continued –
"Ginny – about the dance lessons…"
"Yes – I was thinking we could start tonight – I mean the Ball is only a few days away…"
"I know, but now this Occlumency stuff has come up – Dumbledore's probably gonna keep us at it every spare minute we have!" Ron exclaimed despondently
"So what do you suggest then?"
"I dunno – know any spells?" he grinned, as he envisioned himself and Hermione floating around the dance floor.
"Ron - I'm afraid there are no spells to cure two left feet!" Ginny laughed
Ron frowned, looking hurt "Hey! Who said I have two left feet?"
"It just sorta runs in the family!" she grinned "but don't worry, after a few lessons, you'll be fine"
"And when are we gonna have time for these lessons? We also have exams going on in case you hadn't noticed!" he said sombrely
"Yeah – and there's another problem – how do I get you guys alone to teach you without Hermione suspecting anything? I mean, you want it to be a surprise, don't you?"
"Yeah"
They both stood for a few seconds deep in thought until finally Ginny spoke –
"Wait a minute…" Ginny said suddenly "Doesn't Hermione write Arithmancy tomorrow?"
"Yeah – of course!" Ron said, catching on "and Harry and I have the day off!"
"Perfect!" Ginny said "I don't write tomorrow either!"
"Brilliant! Then we'll meet you in the common room, sometime after breakfast…" Ron stated excitedly
"Yeah, okay… but you better get going now or you'll be late…" Ginny reminded, pointing at her watch.
"Oh right – see you later!" Ron said cheerfully, walking past her. Then suddenly he stopped and turned "Oh, and Ginny – Thanks!" he said gratefully, giving her a hug "You're the best!"
"No problem" she smiled "that's what sisters are for!" she called as he sprinted off to Dumbledore's office.
