Chapter 5

Dinner went too fast in Harry's opinion. Fred and George goofed off as usual, earning Mrs. Weasely's glare of disapproval. Mr. Weasely arrived just as they were starting and engaged Moody in a conversation about the problems that the Ministry is encountering and how Cornelius Fudge might be booted off the position. Remus and Tonks are still talking about such hilarious random stuff, earning Ginny's giggles in the background.

Hermione was silent. Harry noted. He was watching her from the corner of his eyes. Meanwhile Ron was just there. Miraculously not eating much, which earned Mrs. Weasely's concerned face moving back to her son from time to time.

But dinner can't last forever. No sooner people were starting to stand up. Harry stood too, wanting nothing more than to lock himself in a room and hide from Ron. He still doesn't know what's going on but that doesn't change the fact that he doesn't feel comfortable about it. So when Ron cocked his head to the direction of the door signaling Harry to follow him, Harry felt his palms becoming clammy by the minute and his legs like weights. But he followed Ron to their room and sat on his bed, watching while he close and lock the door. For a long time Ron just stood there holding the doorknob and not facing Harry, till Harry couldn't wait any longer, he broke the silence.

"What's going on mate?" At that Ron turned around unreadable, making Harry's heartbeat faster.

"Look mate" Ron started. "I'm sorry I'm not that all welcoming to you when you arrived. I was happy to see you mate, but it's just that I'm distracted."

"It's Hermione, isn't it?" Harry asked feeling that now familiar funny feeling in the stomach. "What's going on with both of you? Fred and George said you two were rowing more than usual."

For the first time, Ron started to look anxious. He didn't speak for a long time. "Ron?" Harry inquired.

"I'm in love with her mate."

Harry swallowed, hard. Not understanding why he felt so… he doesn't even understand what he feels! "Your what?" was Harry's only reaction.

"Yeah, I know. Kinda odd right?" Ron started walking back and fourth with Harry just staring at him, not knowing what else to say. "But that's not all." Ron said "I told her that, a few days earlier."

"What did she say?"

"She said… bloody hell mate, she said she doesn't feel the same coz she's in love with you!" Ron blurted out, now looking a bit desperate.

At what Ron said, Harry all of a sudden felt, light. He could breathe well again. And he felt…. Relieved…. But Ron wasn't finished yet.

"I went ballistic on her Harry. Kept trying to tell her she's making a big mistake. I said, you only look at her like she's a sister…"

Harry suddenly choked. "You said what!" Suddenly feeling at unease again.

Ron looked at Harry "Well yeah, it's true, isn't it?"

Harry started breathing fast. He started to say yes, Hermione was just a sister to him, but for a reason he can't fathom, his brain kept screaming NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! Feeling a bit lost Harry started to wonder what's the matter with him. The weird feelings he have towards Hermione lately, they were well… different. He just haven't thought everything through yet.

"Harry?"

Harry looked at Ron's questioning gaze and started to tel the truth, that he doesn't know, but he can't. Bit with Ron feeling this desperate. "Yeah mate, its' true."

Suddenly a noise came from the hallway. Ron and Harry looked at each other and opened the door. Hermione was walking fast, away from their room. She heard. Everything.