Chapter Two

Hermione's Reaction

In platform nine and third- quarters, Mrs. Weasley was making her statement to Harry, Ron and Ginny when they heard someone shouting their names.

"Harry! Ron! Ginny!" it's Hermione Granger. Ron pretended that he's still feeling the same, as Hermione Granger's best buddy. Her parents were behind her.

"Hello, Mrs. Weasley," greeted Hermione as she stopped to her. Mr. and Mrs. Granger greeted them. Then she went to Harry, Ron and Ginny.

"Hi, Hermione dear. Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Granger," greeted Mrs. Weasley. Mr. and Mrs. Granger kissed Hermione as Mrs. Weasley kissed Ginny, Harry and Ron ("Geroff, Mum!" said Ron) and they left.

"I guess all of you had a perfect summer."

"Yes and I think we should find a compartment," said Ginny and they lead their way to the train.

They found an empty compartment and occupied it. Harry sat with Ginny while Ron sat near the window and Hermione was near the door, together in the other seat.

"Hey, Hermione. Fleur will visit us at Hogwarts this coming October," said Harry.

"Really? How did you know?"

Ron took out the letter from his pocket and gave it to Hermione. She saw that it was addressed to Ron.

While Hermione read the letter, Ginny started to tease Ron.

"Ron's having an after shock until now. I can't believe that my brother was attracted to a veela."

Though Hermione was reading the letter, she could still hear Ginny. Then she read the part: Ron, I have something to tell you and it's important. I can't tell it to you through this letter because I have to tell it personally. I believe that you could help me. You're the only one.

She felt furious about the letter. Why does she have to send an owl to Ron, alone? And what's that important thing that she'll say?

And hearing Ginny's tease to Ron, it was added to her unknown hurt. She knew that; Ron's reaction when he saw Fleur and when she kissed him.

She doesn't have enough courage to tell how she feels about Ron. She couldn't even open it to Harry, just at least to ease the pain that she was just Ron's friend. That's why sometimes she felt she didn't deserve to be in Gryffindor House.

Hermione felt that Ron was her match. He was the only one who contradicts her ideas. No one ever dared, even Harry, to argue with her but Ron alone. But instead of making her mad about it, it made her love Ron… more than a match… more than a friend…

Feeling jealous, she returned the letter to Ron. She smiled forcibly and said, "That's nice."

Ron stared at Hermione. Does she believe in every little thing Ginny was saying? Come on, Ronald Weasley, don't dream! She wouldn't care even if you'll have an affair to a hippogriff.

Suddenly, he heard Ginny said, "And Harry told me that Fleur kissed Ron in the second task. I missed it, honestly."

Ron turned red.

"But she also kissed Harry!" said Ron in a defensive voice.

"And why are you so defensive, Ickle Ronniekins?" asked Ginny, grinning.

"I- I'm not!" Ron's redder now.

Ginny ignored her brother.

"Did you also saw it, Hermione?"

Hermione jog back into her senses when she heard her name. Why of all people Ginny has to ask me?

Pretending she was listening to the whole conversation, Hermione answered casually, "Yes, I was there and I saw Ron's expression when Fleur kissed him."

That hurts. And the scene of Fleur kissing Ron's cheeks flashed back.

Hermione looked at Ron. He was staring at her. "Well, that's true. I saw, I saw your reaction. You- you're delighted!" But Hermione noticed the way she talked. It was not her. Hermione Jane Granger is a straight speaker, even if she's afraid or nervous, but not this time.

Yes, those kiss. She didn't know that time what to do. But one thing is for sure, it really hurts. She avoided making an eye contact with Ron.

"But I didn't expect it! She just kissed me and what's the big deal with that?"

Instead of answering, Harry and Ginny laughed hard as if there's no tomorrow. But Hermione didn't laugh. Ron looked at her and she was looking at him, too; without noticing it. They were just staring at each other. Then Hermione looked away and focused her eyes to the other two who were still laughing.

"This discussion is becoming nonsense. Yeah, Ron's right. What's the big deal? Does it make sense?"

Harry and Ginny stopped laughing and looked at each other then they looked at Hermione, as if she did a crime. Ron, still staring at her, was shocked.

"Hermione! For the first time, you and Ron agreed for the same idea! You didn't argue with that! That's a miracle! Hey, Ginny, send Mrs. Weasley an owl and tell her to cook all the best recipes she knows! It's a celebration!" said Harry, still surprised but glad and sounded like Fred and George.

For the first time, Ronald Bilius Weasley and Hermione Jane Granger, contradicting each other's opinion, agreed to stop Harry and Ginny. The number of fights and arguments they had, no one could tell because it would be more than the passengers of Hogwarts Express. And the number they agreed, the two of them alone, without back- ups, it was the very first.

Harry and Ginny stopped laughing and teasing Ron. Ron just stared outside the window. Then he noticed Ginny whispered something to Harry and Harry whispered back then they grinned.

Good for Ginny. This is the right time to court Harry. It would be his last year at Hogwarts. Last year at Hogwarts… last year for him to confess to Hermione what he really feels. But where does his Gryffindor courage went?

He stared back at the windows and ate a Chocolate Frog.

Thinking that Ron will look at her but he didn't, Hermione gazed back to her cat, Crookshanks.

Then the door opened. It was Draco Malfoy with Crabbe and Goyle.

"Oh, I see you're having a quiet trip, Potter."

The four of them stood up.

"Well, it's nice that it would be my last year to see your faces, Potter and Weasley. And of course you, mudblood Granger," said Malfoy.

Ron pulled his wand from his pocket. Harry did the same but Hermione and Ginny were quick enough to stop them.

"Stopping them, mudblood?" and the three laughed.

Ron was again ready to attack but Hermione stopped him. "Don't do it, Ron." But still Harry's and Ron's wand were pointing to the three.

Malfoy pulled his wand. Crabbe and Goyle followed.

"Why don't we make some noise?" said Malfoy, grinning.

"Really, Malfoy? And what kind of noise do you want?"

Before Malfoy could cast his spell, about ten wands were pointed at them including Hermione's and Ginny's.

It was Dean Thomas who spoke. He's with Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, Luna Lovegood, Parvati Patil and Colin Creevey.

"See you later at Hogwarts and be prepared." Malfoy said with threatening voice and they left.

"Thanks, guys," said Harry.

"Well, Dumbledore's Army members help each other, right?" said Neville.

"See you later." It was Seamus and the other five left.

"That was really close," said Ron, putting his wand down.

"Yeah, as close as yours and Hermione's hand," said Ginny.

Ron and Hermione looked at their hands. Hermione was holding Ron's hand. They looked at each other and pulled their hand apart. Both of them turned scarlet. Harry and Ginny exchanged looks.