Chapter 17

Ron woke up the next morning, panic filling his heart. Today was the Hogsmede trip. He jumped out of bed and looked at the clock. It was five o'clock. He sighed. He knew that he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. They didn't leave until ten. That gave him five hours to drive himself more insane then he already was at the moment.

Meanwhile in the girls dormitory, Hermione was experiencing the same problem. She wasn't sure why she was so nervous about today, but she was. She shoved it aside and decided that the best thing would be to get ready for the day and bring her homework down to the common room until it was time to go.

Within the hour, Ron and Hermione both got ready. Hermione headed downstairs just at the same time that Ron did.

"Oh! You scared me," Hermione whispered out on the landing.

"Sorry. What are you doing up so early?" Ron asked her as he closed the door behind him softly. She shrugged.

"Couldn't sleep. You?"

"Same." They walked down the stairs together. Ron sat in the arm chair while Hermione sat on the couch.

"Did you tell that boy what I told you?" Hermione asked immediately.

"Um.. . Yes."

"What did he say? Does he have a message for me?"

"He just wanted you to know that he isn't sure that you wouldn't hate him, no matter how you protest."

"Oh." Hermione looked into the fireplace. Ron's heart broke to see her sadness.

"He said that he would like to play a game."

"What?"

"A game."

"What kind of game."

"Well it's not really a game. It's a guessing thing. He'll give you clues, maybe. He hasn't decided yet. He just wanted to know what you thought."

"Well tell him that it is perfectly fine with me."

"I'll tell him."

Silence fell over them. Ron fidgeted slightly. He had blown it now. She would know. Everyone would know. He slapped himself mentally. He had only tried to cheer her up, but he had just gotten himself stuck in a pickle.

"I don't know if he'll do it though."

"Why?"

"As I said he's afraid that you don't like him."

"Who is it Ron?"

"What?"

"Who is it?"

"Um. . . I can't tell you."

"Why?"

"Because I can't."

"Should I ask Harry?"

"NO!"

"Shhh…"

"Sorry."

"Why did you burst out like that?"

"Because you can't ask Harry."

"Hmmmm . . . maybe I should."

"No please don't Hermione."

"Why?"

"Because he's afraid."

"Why is he afraid again."

"Because you haven't really said nice things about him before."

"What?"

"You heard me."

"Oh gosh, it's not Seamus is it?"

"Heck no!"

"Dean?"

"No."

"Well, it can't be Harry."

"Right."

"You're acting strange, Ron."

"Me? Strange. Naw. I just don't want the poor bloke to go through crap."

"Since when have you been so caring?"

"I've always been caring."

"Right."

"I'm serious."

"I'm going to keep guessing."

"Um . . ."

"Well it can't be you because you know him." Ron let out a breath. She hadn't guessed him.

"Right."

"Wait, it isn't Neville is it?"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. . . no."

"I can't think any more."

"Well I'm not going to tell you."

"Well whomever it is, Ron please tell them that, that I like them too."

"But you don't know who it is."

"I like them for liking me."

"That makes no sense 'Mione."

"It makes perfect sense."

"Whatever you say."

The time passed by quickly, much to both of their surprise. Finally they were on to Hogsmede. Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny had all gotten into one of the carriages that brought them down there. The entire way was filled with laughter. All panic that had been residing in Ron's stomach had momentarily left him.

They went to all the shops, before heading to the Inn to get butterbeers where Ron bought Hermione the two he owed her from the bet. Then Harry and Ginny announced that they were going to go off and do something. That was when the panic returned.

Hermione wasn't finished with her butterbeers so they decided to stay.

"This year has been pretty uneventful. It makes me uneasy," she confined in Ron.

"Yeah I know what you mean. It just doesn't seem right."

"Something bad is going to happen."

"Now you sound like Professor Trelawney."

"Oh come off it Ron. I'm serious."

"I know. I can feel it too."

"Wait, you can?"

"Yeah. We have to find Harry." Hermione drank down the rest of her butterbeer and jumped up out of her seat. Ron grabbed her hand and they ran to the exit.

"Harry where are we going?"

"I don't know. I just thought we could take a walk."

"Sounds good to me."

They walked through the snow hand in hand. Tiny flakes fell all around them. All seemed right with the world, but suddenly two Death Eaters jumped out in front of them.

"Well if it isn't Harry Potter. It's time that we bring you to our master." Harry pushed Ginny to the side, taking out his wand.

"You'll never take me alive," Harry said. The Death Eaters laughed.

"He's quite right about that!" A deep voice said behind him. Harry turned to see Ron, Hermione, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Dumbledore standing in the snow with their wands at the ready.

That was when the battle began, but it was quickly ended thanks to Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall checked over the group.

"How did they get here?"

"Who knows Minerva. But Hogsmede is no longer safe. Gather the students," Dumbledore said dangerously. Professor McGonagall went to usher the four away when Dumbledore waved his hand.

"I'll take them back with me. There is something that they need to know."