Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews, people! (hugs all of her fabulous reviewers) Huzzah! Now I can stop all the horrible threats! Okay, I know, it's been over six weeks since I started this, but that's okay! Second chapter's up and ready to be reviewed! Here's hoping that the third chapter won't take another six weeks to get up...(shudders to think about what could happen to her if it did)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I wish I owned it. In my dreams, I actually DO own it and I am able to manipulate the relationships and development of all the characters (muhahahaha!). Unfortunately for me, this is not my dream and the whole friggin' shebang belongs to J. K. Rowling. (storms off muttering something about lucky rich British authors who've made a valuable contribution to the literary universe)
Author's Note: This chapter (and probably most of the following ones) contains SLASH. That means male/male relations. Harry/Draco references to be specific. If you do not like to read slash or if you find it offensive in any way, please click the back button conveniently located near the top of your computer screen. You have been warned. All flames will be disregarded. Thank you and have a nice day!
Dedication: You know the drill by now, this is dedicated to all my faithful readers and reviewers, and of course, my beta/roommate/friend, the always-rockin' Tygrressatheart. After you're done reviewing this, you should definitely go check out her Harry Potter and Dragon Ball Z stories. They're spicy HOTT!
Concentration is Highly Overrated
Chapter Two: Temporary Disappointment
((ABOUT THREE HOURS EARLIER))
If one were to ask Ron Weasley what his favorite day of the week was, his response would most likely be a very enthusiastic "Friday!". The reasoning behind such an answer is that every Friday afternoon after classes are done for the day, Ron and Harry, along with several other Gryffindor students, would always spend the rest of the afternoon playing Quidditch out on the field until dinnertime.
What was most appealing to Ron though wasn't the Quidditch (although that was quite enjoyable, playing with his friends and having a good time and what not), it was who always sat in the stands doing her homework while watching them play every Friday.
Ever since their sixth year started, Hermione had been coming out to watch her friends play Quidditch every Friday, which made the game all the more thrilling from Ron's point of view.
Once or twice (or a few dozen times, according to what Harry blatantly pointed out to him) during every game, Ron's gaze would drift over to the stands where the brunette girl sat alternately reading and observing the game action.
Every so often, she would meet his eyes, smile, and secretly wave. Ron always hoped that this particular gesture was reserved for him and no one else, but either way, his face would light up like a Christmas tree whenever she did it.
Grinning like a madman, he would then shift his focus back to the game. He was once nearly knocked off his broom by a fast-flying Bludger because he stared at Hermione for too long and wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. Then again, a warm smile and a wave from the lovely Hermione Granger was well worth getting struck by a hundred Bludgers in Ron's opinion. But unfortunately for the youngest Weasley brother, this particular Friday afternoon was an unwelcome exception.
"For Merlin's sake, where has Hermione gotten to? She never misses a Friday match!" Ron cried, searching around the stadium for a shock of bushy brown hair somewhere in the stands.
Harry sighed inwardly at his best friend's thick-headedness. "Mate, for the fifth time, she said she had to work on Snape's Potions essay, so she may or may not be coming this time. It's due on Tuesday, you know."
"I know that, Harry, but why can't she work on it out here like she always does?"
"Well, she did say that she wanted some peace and quiet for a change, and it's not like we're exactly church mice when we're flying about and carrying on with our Quidditch matches."
"Yes, but—"
"No buts," Harry said with a tone of finality. "For now, just let her finish her work, and then maybe she'll come out and watch us play. In the meantime, let's get a game going already! It's almost 4:30, classes ended over an hour ago, and I'm positively itching to ride my broom."
Ron snorted. "More like you're itching to ride Draco's broom later on tonight, I'll wager."
Harry blushed at Ron's words and ran a hand through his messy black hair. "Yes, well, that's always a possibility..."
"Wait a tick, you're serious?! Ewww! Harry, honestly! I was just kidding! That's just...ewww!" Ron grimaced at the wave of unpleasantly erotic mental images starring Harry and the Slytherin Prince of Darkness now flashing in his brain.
"Heh, well you brought it up. Not my fault if you can't handle a bit of hot guy-on-guy action every now and again." Harry said with a smirk, knowing Ron would once again grimace and ignore the fact that Harry was gay and currently seeing Draco Malfoy, their former worst enemy second only to the Dark Lord himself.
Ron predictably made another face. "Harry, I know I said that I would support you whole-heartedly as your best friend when it came to your sexuality, but must you describe your relationship with Malfoy as 'hot guy-on-guy action'?"
Harry pretended to think hard for a moment. "Hmmm...yes. Yes, I believe I do."
Ron rolled his eyes before sighing heavily and glancing around the stadium one last time, then picked up his broom from where it lay on the ground. "I guess she won't be coming for a while, if at all. Snape wants five whole feet for that bloody essay."
"Aw, cheer up, mate! Even if she doesn't come, you'll still see her at dinner," offered Harry, attempting to lighten the mood.
"Yeah, I guess...it's just..." Ron's ears went pink before continuing, "...I don't know, I just seem to focus better when Hermione's here. It's like the fact that she's right there in the stands watching me—er, I mean, us...heh heh...um, it gives me an extra boost of confidence, y'know?"
Harry smiled reassuringly. "Yeah, Ron, I know. Come on, let's get going! Everybody's waiting for us out on the field."
"I just hope I can concentrate," Ron said with another sigh.
"Concentration is highly overrated..." Harry muttered before dragging the redhead out into the middle of the pitch to join the rest of their fellow Gryffindors. Hopefully, Harry thought, a few rounds of Quidditch would get Ron's mind off of Hermione's absence, at least for a while.
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Much to Harry's relief, Quidditch seemed to be just the thing Ron needed to get out of his mood. Two rounds in, and he was laughing and whooping with the rest of their friends. Harry couldn't stop a grin from spreading across his face when Ron skillfully blocked yet another attempt by Seamus to get the Quaffle through the goal.
Just as I thought...a few games of Quidditch and he's back to normal. Good old predictable Ron... Harry thought to himself before averting his attention back to the golden Snitch. He never noticed the look of disappointment that gathered on Ron's freckled face every time his eyes wandered over to Hermione's usual spot in the stands.
Three or four rounds later, the dinner bell rang and the tired but happy Gryffindors lowered themselves back onto the ground and packed away the Quidditch equipment. Neville offered to take the supplies back up to Madam Hooch's office, and the rest of the group headed toward the Great Hall.
Seamus and Dean led the way, talking about the upcoming trip to Hogsmeade, while Ginny and Colin Creevey (who had agreed to stop taking pictures of Harry if they let him play Quidditch with them) walked behind them discussing a homework assignment Professor McGonagall had given their class for the weekend.
Ron and Harry brought up the rear, whispering so the others wouldn't listen. The only reason the boys whispered, of course, was because they were talking about Hermione, and poor Ron really wasn't up for Seamus and Dean's teasing right now.
"You think she'll be at dinner, Harry?"
Harry considered shouting something like 'How many times do I have to tell you that I DON'T KNOW, you insufferable prat!!!', but seeing the look of desperation in Ron's ocean blue eyes, he found that he couldn't. "I'm not sure, Ron. Hopefully she'll stop working long enough to at least get something to eat..."
"Yeah, hopefully..."
"Why are you so worried if Hermione's going to be at dinner or not, anyway? I mean, it's not like you love her or anything, right?" Harry said, a wicked smile twisting his features.
Ron went scarlet and opened his mouth to deny his painfully obvious feelings, but looked more closely at Harry first. Sure enough, there was a mischievously knowing glint in those vivid emerald eyes, which made Ron narrow his own eyes at his best friend. "You're not helping, y'know!"
Harry laughed. "Oh, for Merlin's sake, come off it, mate! I know you love her! Hell, the whole bloody school knows you love her! Why don't you just admit it and save all of Gryffindor House a lot of grief with the constant sexual tension between you two?"
Ron shot an icy death glare at the raven-haired boy (which, of course, had no effect whatsoever), before rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly and looking away. "I can't! What if she says she doesn't like me back or that she 'just wants to be friends'? Our relationship would change forever and I couldn't bear that, Harry. I just couldn't..."
Harry sighed and patted the redhead's shoulder comfortingly. "But it has to kill you to even look at Hermione and wonder every single time if there could be more between you and her."
Bloody hell, he knows how to hit the nail on the head... Ron thought, audibly groaning. "Yeah, you pretty much got it in one there, Harry."
"Well, that's why life is all about taking chances, mate. You'll never know what she's thinking unless you tell her how you really feel about her."
"But isn't there another way I could—"
"Tell her how you feel, you stubborn git!"
"Blimey! No need to get your knickers in a twist!" Ron said, eyebrows raised at Harry's sudden outburst.
Harry sighed apologetically. "I'm sorry, Ron, it's just that you two have been going back and forth since practically first year! Everyone is tired of this whole 'I love you but I can't tell you because half the time we're yelling our heads off at each other' thing you guys have going on."
Ron chuckled. "Yeah, I know we must drive you bonkers the way we go at it sometimes."
"You have no idea, mate. Oh, and Ron?"
"Hmm?"
"My knickers were already in a twist last night with Draco..."
"AUGH!!! HARRY!!! My virgin ears!" yelled Ron, racing the rest of the way toward the Great Hall, Harry hot on his heels.
While Ron tried to mentally block out all sound so he couldn't hear his best friend continue reminiscing about his naughty exploits with said blond Adonis, Harry just laughed and sped after him. Neither of them stopped running until they had reached the Great Hall. Ron took his hands away from his ears, gave Harry another ineffectual death glare, and strolled over to the Gryffindor table, hoping to see the beautiful bushy-haired object of his affections.
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Awww, poor Ron! He can't concentrate either! Slight cliffy...eh, not really. Oh well, this just seemed like a good place to stop, plus it's longer than the first chapter, so yay for that, right?? Sorry it took so long for me to get this up. Anyway, much love and thanks to all my readers...I didn't know I was so popular! (sniffles, then hugs everyone again) Now make an authoress happy and REVIEW PLEASE!!!!
More reviews means it's more likely that I'll see that people really like this story and I'll get my ass in gear and post the next chapter ASAP! ;)
And now for some quick shout-outs to all my faithful readers out there:
Tygrressatheart: LMAO! Are we having some concentration issues there, Lee? Lol, I'd have trouble focusing too if Orlando Bloom or Tom Felton were around...hot English guys...what was I saying? (sighs dreamily)
Hydrangea777: Thanks for the formatting advice. I think this chapter will be better suited for reading. Oh, and about Hermione cursing...yeah...I think I may have written her slightly OOC, but that's okay. I guess she just gets SUPER pissed when she can't concentrate. Thanks for the review!
Asia Cwiakala: Thanks! LOL! I think you may be onto something there...(wink wink)
Rongrl1990: LOL, I think we all like a little dirty from time to time, eh? It may take a bit more time, but don't worry. This story will definitely satisfy.
messyTeeN: Thanks! I thought the whole "sparrow thing" might be kinda cool, so I went for it.
orli-enthusiast: Heh heh, Hermione's naughty thoughts are pretty interesting, huh? I'm most likely gonna keep her cursing to a minimum though, cause it is kinda OOC and she doesn't really do that, but I'm not saying that she isn't going to curse at all...gotta have a little something to spice it up...(grins)
clauss: Don't worry, it's not a one-shot. It just took me some time to get this second chapter up, that's all.
ScarletAngel68: Ah, yes, Ron/Hermione is indeed wonderful...thanks for the review!
Dana-Black: I'm updating already! Sheesh! LOL, thanks for the review.
Hermione-babE: It's okay, you don't have to beg! The second chapter is here for your reading and reviewing enjoyment!
RonHemie: Yes! Long live Ron/Hermione! Your story is so cute too! Thanks for the review and the Chapter 4 dedication. (hugs)
The B.A.T.: LOL! It's Yusef the Bat! What up? Thanks for the incredibly thoughtful review, and here's hoping none of my stories ever end up in Badficland, lol. I will definitely check out your Naruto stories the minute I get a chance. See you at school!
StarWolf the Insane: Oh my gosh, it's THE StarWolf! I'm not worthy! Thank you SO much for reviewing...your stories are pure literary art. I love them all so much. It's a real honor to have you as a reviewer of mine, and I appreciate any and all constructive criticism from a fabulous author such as yourself. Thanks again!
Miss Hogwarts, blabla, merlinsmagic, phoenixphantasm, tomcattabby, flying-piggy-123, adc2153, Nicole, Az, TeAroha, LittleHikari542, SxG39luver, Phoenixfire75, rubic-cube, Carcilwen Thorned Rose: Thank you all so much for your wonderful reviews! I'm glad that I could make you happy with my story. Don't forget to review this chapter and I'll get the next one up as soon as I can.
If I forgot anyone, I'm REALLY sorry. It was completely unintentional. In fact, if I forgot you, let me know in a review and I will personally see to it that you get an individual shout-out in the third chapter.