gryffxchick: Yes, I am lol! Finally, I am trying to get back in the swing of things! Thank you for reviewing!
Krys: -laughs- I like your story. Aren't all my stories...whatyoucallit...spastic...what the hell does that mean anyway? -looks it up- Oh, it means like compulsive...I still don't get it. LOL.
Ashton Rushing: I'm guess I know why I didn't get a lot of readers because I did kill Ginny. -cries- I really didn't like doing it but I had to. Thank so much!
A/N: Bonjour all! I am updating and this one is short, since I haven't written HP in a little while. We get to see a different side of Ronniekins.
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Chapter 9: Compassion
A swoosh awoke Harry from a dreamless sleep. Hedwig perched on his wardrobe mid-flight, hooting once softly. She landed on his shoulder when he came to his feet. Harry smiled, "I missed you Hedwig. I'm sorry for leaving, will you forgive me?"
She nibbled his ear lovingly and he supposed that meant a yes.
Harry looked at Ron's bed and saw that it was empty, he frowned, he was hoping to talk to him about last night.
After showering and changing into some robes, he stepped out into the hallway. Just down the hall, Hermione emerged from her room, yawning softly into her hand. His eyes widened and he pulled her into an abrupt bear-hug, swinging her around in a circle, "Hermione! You're okay!" She backed away, smiling, "Of course. I was just going downstairs for breakfast--"
She blinked alarmed, reaching out for his arm as her legs gave out from under her. Harry wrapped an arm around her back and she murmured weakily, "Or perhaps I should go back to bed..." He bridal-style carried her out of the hallway --she wasn't even heavy-- and helped her sit up on her bed, Harry was dying to ask her about before but she didn't look up to it. Hermione gave her a pat on the shoulder and he took it as a sign to leave, closing the door behind him. Ron came up from the stairs and caught him leaving her room.
He asked concerned, "Is she ok?" Harry shrugged.
"Somewhat."
The red haired boy said apologetically, "I'm sorry for acting like such a prat last night. I shouldn't have opened my big mouth." Harry smiled, "You were scared, I was too." Ron smiled back and asked again, "Is she awake? Do you think I could...?"
Harry stepped aside, "Go ahead."
The redhead grinned, slapping his arm as Harry went ahead downstairs. When he reached thelaststair,Remus Lupin appeared beside him, a mysterious smirk playing over his features, "Harry, come with me. I have a surprise for you." Harry wasn't so sure about surprises but followed him nonetheless into a room in Headquarters, one that that sort of reminded him of a Muggle garage.
That when Harry saw it...a giant motorcycle...Sirius's flying motorcycle. Memories of his night ride as a baby crept into his mind as he cautiously ran a hand over the smooth cool metal.
Lupin smiled wider, "I knew you'd like it. It's yours." Harry jerked his head.
"Really?"
The gray streaked man nodded, looking just a teeny bit teary-eyed, "Sirius would want you to have it." The teenager began feeling pity for the man who lost his best friends and embraced him for a moment. Lupin sniffed, wiping his eyes, "I'm being stupid..." he clapped Harry on the shoulder, "You're a good kid Harry." Harry turned away, going into the kitchen for some breakfast. Afterwards packing for tomorrow's trip to the Kings Cross Station. Screaming came from downstairs, along with the shrieking of the portraits, he curiously stuck his head out and listened.
"HE CAN CHOOSE FOR HIMSELF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!"
"YOU'RE JUST UPSET AT ME BECAUSE THEY CHOSE ME TO BE HIS GODMOTHER!"
"FILTHY BEINGS, HALF-!"
"HARRY'S DOING FINE WITHOUT YOU INTERFERING INTO HIS LIFE!"
"FILTH-!"
"I AM NOT INTERFERING MOLLY, I JUST WANTED HIM TO KNOW HE HAD SOMEONE TO TURN TO!"
"HE CAN COME TO HIS FRIENDS OR ME, HE DOESN'T NEED MORE CONFUSION TO BUILD UP, HE JUST LOST SIRIUS FOR MERLIN'S SAKE!"
"YOU MEAN, MY BROTHER! JUST BECAUSE I WASN'T HERE, DOESN'T MEAN I DIDN'T LOVE HIM SO YOU CAN---!"
"DIRTY BLOOD BEINGS, ROT-!"
Angrily, Harry slammed his door shut on the noise, gravely tempted to scream back at them that he didn't anyone to decide what he could or couldn't decide for himself. He finished packing and resolved to eat dinner upstairs, turns out Ron and Hermione had the very same idea. They ate and talked before they all fell asleep in the boys room.
Harry dreamed that night, he dreamed that he was standing Hogsmede, and thatit was snowing outside. His friends were waving to him in the distance and calling to him. He couldn't move; they were getting excitedly anxious, waving their gloves furiously. High-pitched laughter surrounded him and a green light engulfed his friends, they were falling onto the snowy ground with mirth frozen on their faces. Hideous laughter remained on their lips and someone spun him around, it was Neville and a growing bright white light shielding him. His mouth moved but Harry couldn't make out the words-----
The restless teenager awoke to someone moaning and sat up. Beside him was Ron in his pajamas kneeling beside Hermione. He held a cloth to her damp face as she mumbled and moaned in her sleep. Harry crawled over only to have Ron stay his hand from touching her.
"Don't...just..."
He let go of his hand, "Let her sleep."
Harry looked on amazed as the redhead calmly watched over her, "I've never see you like this Ron."
"Like what?" Harry blinked.
"I don't know how to explain it. . .more. . . . .nurturing somehow."
Ron put the cloth away, "Hard to believe I was doing this to you a few days ago."
The boy explained when Harry burrowed his brows, "I don't know...I heard you talking in your sleep the night Ginny died. You looked really horrible and I stayed awake the entire night to makesure you didn't hurt yourself by rolling out of the bed or something." He chuckled softly, and added, "I'm sorry I got upset with you that morning. I was still in shock."
Harry's eyes bugged,he had never saw that side of him before. Ron had always seemed like a ignorant and thick-headed bloke. Harry didn't know he could ever be benevolent, that's why he and Hermione didn't date. He thought about it as Ron stroked her head, if only she knew how much he cared, maybe they'd finally get some guts and ask each other out. Harry snorted smiling, thinking about how great a couple they would make if the barriers were knocked down for once.
"Well, don't stay up too late, mate. We got school tomorrow," Harry warnly clasped his shoulder a moment before heading to bed.
Ron's question didn't startle him, "Did you get a chance to ask anyone what happened to Hermione last night?" Harry shook his head no as the redhead sighed.
