Disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter characters. JK Rowling does.
Comments: On the 1st chapter: Did I miss any O.W.L.s? If I did, sorry. Also, I'm aware that Hermione's O.W.L.s were on the low side and that Ron's were on the high, but oh well. Also, sorry about the O.W.L. scores not aligning. Anyway, I hoped you liked it, so here goes the next chapter. And sorry about the fast transitions between viewpoints/characters, they're probably kind of hard to keep track of...
Chapter 2 - Letters
Ron strode into the family room with purpose and looked over at the fire. Dumbledore's head was, of course, floating in it. Dumbledore looked as serene as ever, but Ron noticed that he definitely appeared to have aged significantly since he had last seen him. The war has taken a hard toll on him, Ron thought. Ron pushed his anger out of the way for now. If he was needed for something, then he would be there for Harry and whoever else would need him.
"Professor Dumbledore? Is there something wron?"
Dumbledore looked up and smiled at Ron from the fireplace.
"Oh no, not at all Mr. Weasley. I just wished to talk to you about something. You see..."
Hermione paced around the kitchen, waiting for Ron to emerge from the family room. He had been there for ten minutes with Dumbledore, and Hermione was beginning to get anxious. It didn't help that Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were both waiting in the kitchen as well, looking extremely guilt-ridden about what had happened earlier. Serves them right, Hermione thought savagely, and she resumed her pacing at an even faster pace than before, refusing to even acknowledge either of them, although she did hear Ginny murmur incredulously upon seeing that Ron had an O in Charms practicals.
Suddenly the door opened and Ron walked out with a dejected look on his face. Hermione stopped pacing and both Ginny and Mrs. Weasley promptly looked at their feet.
"Ron, what's wrong? What's happened?"
Ron nearly spat the words that came out of his mouth.
"Oh nothing's wrong, Hermione. Dumbledore just came to ask me if he could make Harry a prefect."
Ron strode angrily out of the kitchen and once again up to his room. Hermione at first thought of going after him but decided that there was really nothing she could do, at least for now.
If one more thing happens to him, Hermione thought while going to grab one of the books she was reading, I am going to bodily harm whoever is nearest to me.
Harry grabbed the letters from the owls eagerly, but then slowed down upon realizing that O.W.L. results were obviously with him. Wish I could open them with Ron and Hermione right now, he thought bitterly to himself. With a sigh, he lazily picked up the letter and read them out. He quickly scanned his scores - he had done better than he thought.
Divination - Written - Poor, Practical - Poor
Charms - Written - Exceeding Expectations, Practical - Exceeding Expectations
Astronomy - Written - Acceptable, Practical - Acceptable
Potions - Written - Exceeding Expectations, Practical - Outstanding
Harry did a double take upon reading his Potions scores. His mouth fell open as he realized that he still had a chance at being an Auror - Snape couldn't refuse with an Outstanding. His joy receded, however, upon realizing that if he didn't pull off the E in Transfiguration it wouldn't matter.
Transfiguration - Written - Exceeding Expectations, Practical - Exceeding Expectations
Harry punched the air emphatically and yelled "Yes!", causing bewildered stares from the Dursley's. Harry didn't care though, he had been worried that come seventh year, he wouldn't have the necessary qualifications in N.E.W.T.'s to become an Auror.
Defense Against the Dark Arts - Written - Outstanding, Practical - Outstanding
Care of Magical Creatures - Written - Exceeding Expectations, Practical - Outstanding
History of Magic - Written - Poor
Herbology - Written - Acceptable, Practical - Acceptable
Harry had a grin on his face as he made to owl Ron and Hermione immediately, but then thought that he should probably open his Hogwarts letter first. Harry frowned as he saw it - it seemed to be a little bit bigger than usual. He pulled the letter out - noticing that it was a bit longer than usual - but then saw that there was still something stuck in it. He shook the envelope until the item came out.
A shining, gleaming Gryffindor prefect badge lay in his hand.
Harry whooped with joy. Although it had been some consolation last year that his father hadn't been a prefect either, he had still been upset that Dumbledore hadn't chosen him. He quickly scanned the Hogwarts paper and found that he had also been reinstated on the Quidditch team. Nothing could ruin this day, Harry thought to himself.
But all his joy was erased when as he stared at the badge he came upon the sudden realization of where it was from.
Ron flung the door open to his room and threw himself at his bright orange bed, partly overcome with anger but mostly shame. He was completely useless. Being a prefect had raised his spirits slightly last year, but his suspicions that it was only because Dumbledore didn't want to load something else on Harry that the badge had been shifted to Ron. Everyone thought it should've been Harry. Even my - no wait, especially my own family and friends thought it should be that way. Never stopped to think for a second that I could have possibly earned the badge. Even Hermione thought that Harry should've had the badge. And they were right, Ron thought bitterly to himself. What had he done? Summoned a brain to himself in the Department of Mysteries. Let in every Quaffle that had come his way into the goal while simultaneously being the cause of Harry and the twins not being allowed to play Quidditch. Broken his leg and didn't help set Sirius free. Broken his wand while driving his Dad's car into the Whomping Willow and making his Dad face an inspection at work and a fine. The list was endless, he thought to himself.
And what was even worse was that he didn't even think he was a good person. Ron bitterly recalled fourth year, when he had abandoned Harry because he was overcome with jealousy. He didn't deserve a friend like Harry, who forgave Ron for leaving Harry to fight off a dragon without any help. He didn't deserve a friend like Hermione, even though he wanted to be something more with her. A real friend could contain his jealousy, he thought to himself. Besides, she deserves a guy like Krum. An international Quidditch star who's caring and doesn't constantly fight with her. And even if things didn't work out with Krum, she still certainly wouldn't go to Ron. Why do that when you're best friends with Harry Potter? Harry was famous and rich and certainly very generous and kind, and he was a hero. Why was she NOT dating him already? How could she keep his hands off him?
Ron looked out of the window of the Burrow at the cheery skies and suddenly spotted something. A large owl appeared to be carrying a huge package this way. Suddenly, jealousy flooded Ron as he realized who the owl was from. Krum. And the massive package was undoubtedly a huge box of candy. Krum had lately taken to sending letters to Hermione every couple days along with presents - usually candy or roses or something of the sort. While Ginny and Mrs. Weasley would swoon over Krum's wacky romantic antics, Ron would simply grab a broom and fly for hours on end, not even bothering to talk to Hermione for fear of exploding at her again. Ron felt that if he even saw Hermione beaming at that package he would probably kill someone, so he decided that he better go and cool off on his broom. He began to walk down the stairs to the shed outside until he heard his mother's voice. He stiffened and made to go back up until he could safely avoid all of them until he heard what she was saying.
"What's wrong Hermione? You're looking awfully pale."
"Viktor says he's coming here, but I -"
Ron didn't hear the rest of her sentence, as he had already started sprinting towards his room, where he slammed the door with all the power he possessed.
Hermione, startled, broke off her sentence as she heard a door slam so forcefully that it shook the house. Depression swept over her as she realized who had heard what they were talking about, and she collapsed into the nearest chair, ignoring the big box of candy and her boyfriend's letter.
Comments: On the 1st chapter: Did I miss any O.W.L.s? If I did, sorry. Also, I'm aware that Hermione's O.W.L.s were on the low side and that Ron's were on the high, but oh well. Also, sorry about the O.W.L. scores not aligning. Anyway, I hoped you liked it, so here goes the next chapter. And sorry about the fast transitions between viewpoints/characters, they're probably kind of hard to keep track of...
Chapter 2 - Letters
Ron strode into the family room with purpose and looked over at the fire. Dumbledore's head was, of course, floating in it. Dumbledore looked as serene as ever, but Ron noticed that he definitely appeared to have aged significantly since he had last seen him. The war has taken a hard toll on him, Ron thought. Ron pushed his anger out of the way for now. If he was needed for something, then he would be there for Harry and whoever else would need him.
"Professor Dumbledore? Is there something wron?"
Dumbledore looked up and smiled at Ron from the fireplace.
"Oh no, not at all Mr. Weasley. I just wished to talk to you about something. You see..."
Hermione paced around the kitchen, waiting for Ron to emerge from the family room. He had been there for ten minutes with Dumbledore, and Hermione was beginning to get anxious. It didn't help that Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were both waiting in the kitchen as well, looking extremely guilt-ridden about what had happened earlier. Serves them right, Hermione thought savagely, and she resumed her pacing at an even faster pace than before, refusing to even acknowledge either of them, although she did hear Ginny murmur incredulously upon seeing that Ron had an O in Charms practicals.
Suddenly the door opened and Ron walked out with a dejected look on his face. Hermione stopped pacing and both Ginny and Mrs. Weasley promptly looked at their feet.
"Ron, what's wrong? What's happened?"
Ron nearly spat the words that came out of his mouth.
"Oh nothing's wrong, Hermione. Dumbledore just came to ask me if he could make Harry a prefect."
Ron strode angrily out of the kitchen and once again up to his room. Hermione at first thought of going after him but decided that there was really nothing she could do, at least for now.
If one more thing happens to him, Hermione thought while going to grab one of the books she was reading, I am going to bodily harm whoever is nearest to me.
Harry grabbed the letters from the owls eagerly, but then slowed down upon realizing that O.W.L. results were obviously with him. Wish I could open them with Ron and Hermione right now, he thought bitterly to himself. With a sigh, he lazily picked up the letter and read them out. He quickly scanned his scores - he had done better than he thought.
Divination - Written - Poor, Practical - Poor
Charms - Written - Exceeding Expectations, Practical - Exceeding Expectations
Astronomy - Written - Acceptable, Practical - Acceptable
Potions - Written - Exceeding Expectations, Practical - Outstanding
Harry did a double take upon reading his Potions scores. His mouth fell open as he realized that he still had a chance at being an Auror - Snape couldn't refuse with an Outstanding. His joy receded, however, upon realizing that if he didn't pull off the E in Transfiguration it wouldn't matter.
Transfiguration - Written - Exceeding Expectations, Practical - Exceeding Expectations
Harry punched the air emphatically and yelled "Yes!", causing bewildered stares from the Dursley's. Harry didn't care though, he had been worried that come seventh year, he wouldn't have the necessary qualifications in N.E.W.T.'s to become an Auror.
Defense Against the Dark Arts - Written - Outstanding, Practical - Outstanding
Care of Magical Creatures - Written - Exceeding Expectations, Practical - Outstanding
History of Magic - Written - Poor
Herbology - Written - Acceptable, Practical - Acceptable
Harry had a grin on his face as he made to owl Ron and Hermione immediately, but then thought that he should probably open his Hogwarts letter first. Harry frowned as he saw it - it seemed to be a little bit bigger than usual. He pulled the letter out - noticing that it was a bit longer than usual - but then saw that there was still something stuck in it. He shook the envelope until the item came out.
A shining, gleaming Gryffindor prefect badge lay in his hand.
Harry whooped with joy. Although it had been some consolation last year that his father hadn't been a prefect either, he had still been upset that Dumbledore hadn't chosen him. He quickly scanned the Hogwarts paper and found that he had also been reinstated on the Quidditch team. Nothing could ruin this day, Harry thought to himself.
But all his joy was erased when as he stared at the badge he came upon the sudden realization of where it was from.
Ron flung the door open to his room and threw himself at his bright orange bed, partly overcome with anger but mostly shame. He was completely useless. Being a prefect had raised his spirits slightly last year, but his suspicions that it was only because Dumbledore didn't want to load something else on Harry that the badge had been shifted to Ron. Everyone thought it should've been Harry. Even my - no wait, especially my own family and friends thought it should be that way. Never stopped to think for a second that I could have possibly earned the badge. Even Hermione thought that Harry should've had the badge. And they were right, Ron thought bitterly to himself. What had he done? Summoned a brain to himself in the Department of Mysteries. Let in every Quaffle that had come his way into the goal while simultaneously being the cause of Harry and the twins not being allowed to play Quidditch. Broken his leg and didn't help set Sirius free. Broken his wand while driving his Dad's car into the Whomping Willow and making his Dad face an inspection at work and a fine. The list was endless, he thought to himself.
And what was even worse was that he didn't even think he was a good person. Ron bitterly recalled fourth year, when he had abandoned Harry because he was overcome with jealousy. He didn't deserve a friend like Harry, who forgave Ron for leaving Harry to fight off a dragon without any help. He didn't deserve a friend like Hermione, even though he wanted to be something more with her. A real friend could contain his jealousy, he thought to himself. Besides, she deserves a guy like Krum. An international Quidditch star who's caring and doesn't constantly fight with her. And even if things didn't work out with Krum, she still certainly wouldn't go to Ron. Why do that when you're best friends with Harry Potter? Harry was famous and rich and certainly very generous and kind, and he was a hero. Why was she NOT dating him already? How could she keep his hands off him?
Ron looked out of the window of the Burrow at the cheery skies and suddenly spotted something. A large owl appeared to be carrying a huge package this way. Suddenly, jealousy flooded Ron as he realized who the owl was from. Krum. And the massive package was undoubtedly a huge box of candy. Krum had lately taken to sending letters to Hermione every couple days along with presents - usually candy or roses or something of the sort. While Ginny and Mrs. Weasley would swoon over Krum's wacky romantic antics, Ron would simply grab a broom and fly for hours on end, not even bothering to talk to Hermione for fear of exploding at her again. Ron felt that if he even saw Hermione beaming at that package he would probably kill someone, so he decided that he better go and cool off on his broom. He began to walk down the stairs to the shed outside until he heard his mother's voice. He stiffened and made to go back up until he could safely avoid all of them until he heard what she was saying.
"What's wrong Hermione? You're looking awfully pale."
"Viktor says he's coming here, but I -"
Ron didn't hear the rest of her sentence, as he had already started sprinting towards his room, where he slammed the door with all the power he possessed.
Hermione, startled, broke off her sentence as she heard a door slam so forcefully that it shook the house. Depression swept over her as she realized who had heard what they were talking about, and she collapsed into the nearest chair, ignoring the big box of candy and her boyfriend's letter.