Thanks for the reviews starsmiles, siohbahn, demosthenes03. And Billy, Percy has now seen the error of his ways after Department of Mysteries. I don't really see it as ridiculous that Ron is better than Harry at wandless magic, but to each his own, I suppose. Also, Demosthenes, in the later chapters I have occasionally tried to switch to Harry's viewpoint, but you're right, it does focus on Ron more.
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 20 - Unexplained Feelings
Harry and Parvati looked at Hermione curiously - what was going on? Why was she so still? And what had Malfoy said to her?
"Uh, Hermione," Harry spoke up. "What'd he say?"
Hermione stood frozen, thinking over a fight a while ago. Hadn't Malfoy said that Ron would pay for making him look like a fool? She heard Harry's voice vaguely in the background and quickly shook her thoughts out. She would have to think about it later.
"Uh, nothing Harry, just the typical insult. You know Malfoy."
He nodded skeptically and gave Hermione a look to tell her this wasn't over. Parvati looked curiously between the two of them - obviously there was some sort of unspoken communication there - but she simply dismissed it. Harry, Hermione, and Ron had always had that eerie ability to speak without words to each other. Still, she could not help but feel slightly jealous at Hermione for having such a deep connection with Harry - even an entirely platonic one. Harry must have seen her obvious confusion, and grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before letting go. What the hell was that about, Parvati wondered while walking to Charms and simultaneously trying to quell feelings inside of her. Is it possible he could have similar feelings? And why is he walking so fast?
Harry kept up a fast pace while going to Charms, making sure to stay a step ahead of Parvati. He was extremely confused - when had these unexplained feelings for Parvati risen? What were the unexplained feelings? Whenever he was near her, he kept having these incredible urges to be near her and it was getting out of hand. Was this why he had really broken up with Luna?
At lunch Harry, Hermione, and Ginny went to visit Ron again. Harry noticed that Hermione still seemed pre-occupied with what Malfoy had said - whatever it was - and it was getting annoying. She seemed to be constantly muttering under her breath and walking at a fast pace - she didn't even seem to be as attentive during class. The days passed routinely and Ron came back in a week. The tally of Aurors captured by the sixteen-year old was up to seventeen, but none of the trio mentioned this around Ginny - she always seemed to get nervous when they talked about it for some reason. Ron and Hermione often talked to each other on long walks alone, speaking quietly about something that they still hadn't told Harry about. Two weeks before the Christmas holidays, Dumbledore suddenly stood up at dinner.
"I am delighted to announce that due to a decision by the Head Girl and Boy," Dumbledore spared a glance for them here, "we are going to have a Christmas ball on the 24th! It is available for third years and up, and I hope you all will attend. Thank you." Dumbledore sat down and an onslaught of conversation erupted. Harry spared a glance to look around and see his friends' reactions. Ron and Hermione looked excited - they obviously wanted to do a ball right this time after the catastrophe last time. Ginny was already talking and planning everything out with Dean. Seamus was extremely nervous and kept stealing surreptitious glances at Lavender and looking away quickly. Neville seemed to be looking with resolve at someone at the Ravenclaw table. And finally, Parvati seemed nervous and was staring resolutely at her food. A blush began to rise in Harry as he finally figured out what the unexplained feelings for Parvati were. He suddenly had an urge to ask her right now, but figured they should be alone. And besides, he was incredibly nervous about it. What if she said no? What if she remembered how terribly Harry had treated her at the Yule Ball? The nervousness he had felt when asking Cho to the Yule Ball rose again, but slightly stronger and slightly different. Harry had the feeling he would kill if anybody else went to the ball with Parvati and he had passed up the chance to go with her. Parvati was an extremely pretty girl, and she would undoubtedly be asked unless Harry asked soon. Tonight, Harry spoke to himself with resolve. I'll do it tonight.
Alright, now I know balls are a dime a dozen in stories - especially Ron/Hermione stories - but I plan to make this one slightly different than the typical one. This chapter was slow, but there are a few hints in there to pick up and it was mostly a chapter to speed ahead in time as I had nothing planned until Christmas rolled along - that's why it's on the shorter side too. Don't worry, things will speed up again. Thanks for all reviews.
Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 20 - Unexplained Feelings
Harry and Parvati looked at Hermione curiously - what was going on? Why was she so still? And what had Malfoy said to her?
"Uh, Hermione," Harry spoke up. "What'd he say?"
Hermione stood frozen, thinking over a fight a while ago. Hadn't Malfoy said that Ron would pay for making him look like a fool? She heard Harry's voice vaguely in the background and quickly shook her thoughts out. She would have to think about it later.
"Uh, nothing Harry, just the typical insult. You know Malfoy."
He nodded skeptically and gave Hermione a look to tell her this wasn't over. Parvati looked curiously between the two of them - obviously there was some sort of unspoken communication there - but she simply dismissed it. Harry, Hermione, and Ron had always had that eerie ability to speak without words to each other. Still, she could not help but feel slightly jealous at Hermione for having such a deep connection with Harry - even an entirely platonic one. Harry must have seen her obvious confusion, and grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before letting go. What the hell was that about, Parvati wondered while walking to Charms and simultaneously trying to quell feelings inside of her. Is it possible he could have similar feelings? And why is he walking so fast?
Harry kept up a fast pace while going to Charms, making sure to stay a step ahead of Parvati. He was extremely confused - when had these unexplained feelings for Parvati risen? What were the unexplained feelings? Whenever he was near her, he kept having these incredible urges to be near her and it was getting out of hand. Was this why he had really broken up with Luna?
At lunch Harry, Hermione, and Ginny went to visit Ron again. Harry noticed that Hermione still seemed pre-occupied with what Malfoy had said - whatever it was - and it was getting annoying. She seemed to be constantly muttering under her breath and walking at a fast pace - she didn't even seem to be as attentive during class. The days passed routinely and Ron came back in a week. The tally of Aurors captured by the sixteen-year old was up to seventeen, but none of the trio mentioned this around Ginny - she always seemed to get nervous when they talked about it for some reason. Ron and Hermione often talked to each other on long walks alone, speaking quietly about something that they still hadn't told Harry about. Two weeks before the Christmas holidays, Dumbledore suddenly stood up at dinner.
"I am delighted to announce that due to a decision by the Head Girl and Boy," Dumbledore spared a glance for them here, "we are going to have a Christmas ball on the 24th! It is available for third years and up, and I hope you all will attend. Thank you." Dumbledore sat down and an onslaught of conversation erupted. Harry spared a glance to look around and see his friends' reactions. Ron and Hermione looked excited - they obviously wanted to do a ball right this time after the catastrophe last time. Ginny was already talking and planning everything out with Dean. Seamus was extremely nervous and kept stealing surreptitious glances at Lavender and looking away quickly. Neville seemed to be looking with resolve at someone at the Ravenclaw table. And finally, Parvati seemed nervous and was staring resolutely at her food. A blush began to rise in Harry as he finally figured out what the unexplained feelings for Parvati were. He suddenly had an urge to ask her right now, but figured they should be alone. And besides, he was incredibly nervous about it. What if she said no? What if she remembered how terribly Harry had treated her at the Yule Ball? The nervousness he had felt when asking Cho to the Yule Ball rose again, but slightly stronger and slightly different. Harry had the feeling he would kill if anybody else went to the ball with Parvati and he had passed up the chance to go with her. Parvati was an extremely pretty girl, and she would undoubtedly be asked unless Harry asked soon. Tonight, Harry spoke to himself with resolve. I'll do it tonight.
Alright, now I know balls are a dime a dozen in stories - especially Ron/Hermione stories - but I plan to make this one slightly different than the typical one. This chapter was slow, but there are a few hints in there to pick up and it was mostly a chapter to speed ahead in time as I had nothing planned until Christmas rolled along - that's why it's on the shorter side too. Don't worry, things will speed up again. Thanks for all reviews.