Chapter 8 – Mixed Signals

The Occlumency lessons seemed to be paying off – it had been several days and Hermione had not blacked out once. Surprisingly, Ron had found the lessons quite a lot easier than he first anticipated – perhaps because they were practical – theory had always been Hermione's strong point – and was probably why she didn't take to Occlumency straight away but as with everything Hermione did, once she finally got the hang of it, she got the hang of it perfectly.

Professor Dumbledore had been pleased to hear about Hermione's Herbology exam – he'd said that it could only mean good things – although, even he was puzzled by the bizarre switch between her subconscious and conscious mind during her exam. Hermione had still not managed though to access her memories through Occlumency, and she still eyed Ron suspiciously every now and then, wondering what he could possibly be concealing from her.

Ginny had been quite impressed to find that Ron did not in fact have two left feet – in fact, out of all her brothers, he seemed to take to dancing the quickest. She spent one whole day teaching him and Harry while Hermione wrote Arithmancy after which Ron would not stop waltzing around the common room with an imaginary dance partner, driving Harry crazy. Harry, it seemed, did not have a major talent for dancing and had stepped on Ginny's feet more than once. Ginny had found it cute but Harry just got frustrated and threatened to zap Ron with a Freezing spell if he didn't stop 'prancing around like a pansy'.

The time passed quickly over the next few days, what with exams, Occlumency and stolen moments to practice dancing – and before anyone realised it – a whole week and a half had flown by. It was the night before the Ball – they had finally finished with their exams after their History of Magic exam that day and Harry, Ron and Hermione were sitting by the fire, enjoying the quiet that engulfed the Gryffindor common room, once everyone else had gone to bed, after a long night of celebrating the end of exams. Ginny had retired early, saying something about needing 'beauty sleep' but Hermione was feeling nostalgic and wanted to stay up and reminisce with her old friends… She was sitting next to Ron on the couch and Harry sat in the chair opposite them –

"I can't believe it's finally here" she said sadly "Our last year at Hogwarts… pretty soon, it'll be the end of the year and we'll have to say goodbye…"

Ron shot her a questioning look –

"Not to each other, I mean" she clarified "but to this place, to everyone else here…"

"I know what you mean" said Harry, as he thought about what he would've done if someone hadn't rescued him from his dismal existence at the Dursleys. Hogwarts had become his reason for living.

"Cheer up, you two!" Ron said, grinning "the end of school is not the end of the world! There is a world outside Hogwarts!"

"Yes but, Hogwarts has been my life!" said Hermione emphatically "I love it here!"

"Me too" said Harry "I don't know what I would've done without this place - I mean, what about Quidditch?"

"Yeah, and the brilliant library!"

"We'll experience other libraries, and other Quidditch teams!" Ron objected "besides, you two seem to be forgetting all the things we're not gonna miss about this place" Ron interrupted "like what about – Snape… and Malfoy? And what about Peeves getting us into trouble all the time? And what about all the bad things that have happened? Like that time… with the s-spiders…" Even though Ron had shown remarkable courage in second year when he had had to face his worst fear: spiders, he'd never really forgotten the nightmarish ordeal and the visions of those giant spiders still haunted him from time to time "Yeah – and what about Professor Umbridge?" he said towards Harry. Harry shivered at the mention of her name.

"Yeah, but what about all the fun we've had? And all the good things we've done?" Hermione argued "like when we proved that Hagrid was innocent when everyone else thought he was petrifying people! Or how about all the times we've helped to stop Voldermort…" she paused, suddenly unsure of how she was helping to stop Voldermort now.

Harry sensed what she was thinking "We will stop him Hermione" he said quickly "you don't need to worry – this thing – whatever he's up to – we'll fight it – and we'll win, like we have all those times before…"

"Yeah – and the Occlumency is obviously helping, right? I mean, nothing's happened since we started it" said Ron

"Actually – that's kinda what bugs me about this whole thing" said Hermione "it's almost like he's waiting for something – like a cat stalking a bird – he's just suddenly going to strike when we least expect it"

"Well – we'll be ready when he does" said Ron confidently "We've been in this war for a while now – and we've learnt a lot considering we're still at school – how many other seventh years had to fight in a magical war? And now that we're taking Occlumency as well…"

"He is right, you know" Harry affirmed "We do know more than most other witches and wizards our age"

"Yes, okay, but I just don't think we should get complacent" Hermione said fervently.

Suddenly, a huge grin spread across Ron's face –

"Don't worry Hermione – we'll come rescue you!" he said, springing up and waving his wand around like a sword "Voldermort – Surrender the girl or I'll fight you to the death!" he said pointing his wand at Harry

Harry decided to play along "I will not surrender her!" he said in mock-seriousness and he jumped up and pointed his wand at Ron's chest. Hermione rolled her eyes, but after a few minutes of watching Harry and Ron prancing around, engrossed in a ridiculous wand-fight, she could not contain her amusement any longer and exploded with laughter.

"Stop!" she yelled between bursts of laughter "You're going to kill me over here!"

Exhausted, Ron went walked over the to the fire and slumped back on to he couch, satisfied that he'd achieved his goal –

"Finally – a laugh" he said triumphantly, smiling at her.

"I'm exhausted!" Harry said, out of breath "I think I'm gonna turn in"

"Sure Mate – Night!" Ron said

"Night Harry – see you at breakfast" Hermione added

"Don't stay up too late" he grinned, winking at Ron

"Yeah, well, we don't all need beauty sleep" Ron retorted, grinning at Hermione

"Well, maybe Hermione doesn't…" Harry quipped back

"Oh, just go off to bed, you git!" Ron grinned.

Harry shrugged and ascended the stairs to the boys' dorm. Ron rested his arm on the back of the couch and waited for Hermione to shift up and curl into his shoulder, like she always did when they were alone – but she just sat there, staring at him.

"What?" he looked at her questioningly.

"It's just that – well - oh, I don't know" she chickened out, looking at her feet

"Hermione, what is it?" he looked concerned. She turned to face him.

"Ron, it's just that I feel kinda weird around you – it feels like you're keeping something from me, and every time I ask, you just…"

"Change the subject?" he grinned "How was that exam today, hey?"

"Ronald!" she exclaimed, in frustration

"I'm sorry" he said earnestly "You're right – there is something I need to tell you, Hermione. And I promise, I will, but just not now, not today"

"But Ron, why not today?"

"The timing just isn't right – you'd probably…"

"I'd probably what?" she prompted

"Nevermind!" he said quickly "look – I promise I'll tell you – tomorrow, at the Ball"

"Tomorrow? You can tell me tomorrow, but not…?" she looked confused

"Just trust me, okay?"

"Okay, Ron, I'll trust you, but it better be good!"

It will be! He thought to himself.

"Come here" he gestured, and she moved closer, and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I'm really going to miss this" she sighed "sitting here by the fire - with you – talking, thinking…"

"Me too" he said contentedly "by the way, you know, we are going to see each other once school ends" he teased.

Hermione grinned "I know! But it won't be the same, will it?"

"Well, not exactly the same – but nothing can remain the same forever, can it? Everything has to grow, to change – and that's not always a bad thing you know…" he said, his mind drifting to their somewhat confusing friendship/relationship. He wondered, if Hermione did return his feelings, why had she never said anything? Was she happy just to remain friends forever?

"Ronald Weasley – was that you, talking about growing and changing and all that mature adult stuff!" she mocked

"Well, in case you hadn't noticed, Miss Granger, I have grown up in the last seven years!" he smiled back

She looked over at him, as if she was inspecting him closely "I do believe you're right– you have grown up, Ron Weasley! I mean, you're much taller now than when I first met you…" She teased.

"Very funny" he said, sarcastically "you know that's not what I meant!"

"I know" she said, more solemnly "I know what you meant" she said softly and looked into the fire "I guess I just don't feel ready yet – to move on from all of this"

"Hermione – you're thinking about this too much! The things that matter to you, and I mean really matter, like people you care about, or lessons you've learnt, those things stay with you…" He looked over at her, but she just kept gazing into the fire, thinking.

"I guess you're right" she said finally "You and Harry are the only people I really care about in this place… and I know we'll be friends forever"

Right, thought Ron, FRIENDS… forever! He turned his head away from her. I can't take this anymore! I have to do something.

"Ron" Hermione placed her hand on his leg "are you okay?"

Ron's heart stopped – "Uh… yeah" he said, starting to feel hot

"You're just so quiet" she continued

"I was thinking" he said "about what you said" he slowly moved his hand over hers and started playing with her fingers "I mean, we don't exactly have a normal friendship, do we?"

"What do you mean it's not a normal friendship!" she looked up, her eyes blazing

Ron grinned "I meant - it's more special…"

She smiled shyly at him –

"So?" she said quickly

"So - do you ever do this with Harry?"

"Do what?" she asked innocently

"This" he said, and intertwined his fingers with hers. It was dark and the firelight may have been misleading but Ron was almost positive that she was blushing.

"Do you have a point, Ron?" she asked finally, staring into his unwavering gaze.

"Hermione" he began, but he couldn't seem to find the words, as he became mesmerised by her enchanting eyes. He leaned in a bit closer, and she leaned in a bit closer to him too, but then suddenly –

"Uh – I better get to bed!" Hermione said quickly, getting up from the couch "Uh - it's really late, and it's the Ball tomorrow and – oh my word – is that the time!"

"Hermione…" Ron objected

"And despite what Harry says, I do still need my beauty sleep…" she rambled on, heading for the girls dormitory

"Okay" Ron said "See you in the morning!" he called after her

"Night!" she yelled, practically sprinting up the stairs to her room.

Ron scowled in frustration - Girls! Why are they so confusing! We were so close… he thought. And then his frown transformed into a smile… We were so close…