A/n: Thanks for all the reviews, guys! I really appreciate them. Sorry for the long time, no update. I know the concept of Hermione's friend has been really overdone, but I have Lennie in this fic because she plays a different role than most people would expect.
Disclaimer: Still don't own them...I will have to continue my love for Ron from afar!
Chapter 4: Friendly Bonding
Ron watched the glow-in-the-dark stars glued on the ceiling with mild interest. Hermione had given him a look when he poked fun at the small galaxy displayed on the ceiling of the room where he and Harry were staying. It was a nice, cozy room, with light green walls and a large window overlooking the front yard. He hadn't really had a problem with the glow-in-the-dark stars. He was just accustomed to the canopy over his four-poster at Hogwarts. But this was nice. He didn't think it was at all childish like he had said to Hermione. In fact, it reminded him, in ways, of the Great Hall. In the darkness, he smiled.
He had a knack for saying things that ticked Hermione off. It had become something of a hobby for him. He didn't quite understand why he did it. All right, maybe that was a bit of a lie. At times, it was all too clear, even to him (and with his thick head, he was clueless a very large portion of the time), why he attempted to draw Hermione's attention to him. He couldn't lie to himself; he loved having her brown eyes staring at him, whether they be chastising, friendly, or angry. He greatly enjoyed the conversations they had, which had definitely increased over the past year, what with their time alone during prefect duties. Conversations between the two ranged anywhere from the future to sillier things, like if they'd ever sucked their thumb or picked their nose in secret. I don't think I'll ever completely grow up.
Not that he hadn't changed, in the sense of "growing up." After the harsh end of his summer, it had been harder to return to a normal life. For weeks after Bill's death, painful thoughts would shoot into his head, like how their family was two Weasleys short (he wasn't too keen on being on good terms with Percy just yet). He'd have nightmares about his mother breaking down completely and swearing to die of sorrow if she had to lose another son. This had even forced thoughts of distancing himself from Harry. And whenever such thoughts invaded his mind, he couldn't help being angry with himself. He would not stoop to Percy's level. He'd never leave the side of those he cared about to save his own skin. Never.
Ron turned on his side and glanced at his best friend on the bed next to his, sleeping soundly. He'd been growing used to Harry's undisturbed sleep. Part of him took this as a good sign, a symbol that Voldemort was maybe plot-less and knew no way to attack once more. But the smarter part of him grew uneasy as Harry's sleep was more and more regular. What could Voldemort be planning that he even managed to keep his thoughts and feelings hidden from Harry, whose mind was practically connected to his? The four months of no Voldemort trouble was unnerving. The Order never let its guard down, though, and this comforted him more than anything. Fred and George were finally part of the Order, and he was thankful for this. Much to their mother's objections, the twins informed Ron of anything important happening. Even so, there wasn't much to tell.
A large yawn broke his train of thought, reminding him to get some sleep. No doubt Hermione would wake them up nice and early to do homework or something equally insane. Or maybe she would actually allow them to do something entertaining. Ron was curious about the Muggle world and Hermione's neighborhood. He really wanted to see the place where Hermione had grown up and what (if anything) had made her become such a bookworm. He laughed silently. There must be a huge library somewhere close by. If not, then it proved his theory that Hermione was just Hermione. It would be fun, nonetheless, to explore a Muggle place that wasn't as—well—crappy as the Dursleys.' So far, everything had taken quite an interesting turn.
Ron had been pretty surprised to find out Hermione had had a close friend before she went to Hogwarts. Not that she wasn't a wonderful (and rather talkative, contrary to popular belief) friend, but he'd always thought that she had been an antisocial child. Apparently not. Lennie and Hermione were about as different as him and Hermione. So it was quite amusing to see the two girls yapping like mad the previous night. According to Hermione, it had been a while since she and Lennie had been given an opportunity to spend time together, what with Hermione being away most of the year (including the summer). She probably wouldn't have had much bonding time with Lennie during the summer even if she had been home; Lennie said that she spent the summer at a football camp that she loved dearly.
Lennie was a fun person, there was no doubt about that. She gave off an aura of someone who is very optimistic, with a wonderful smile always plastered on her face. At first glance, she seemed like the type of person who would blend into the crowd, her delicate Asian eyes curious spots of brown on her circular face. But no, rather, she was an outgoing girl, and Ron could tell she was someone you could spend time with and not grow in any way tired or annoyed. Lennie was a charming girl, just because she was so full of life. Harry and Ron noticed it right away, and they were already quite taken with her.
Lennie had stayed for dinner, and Mr. and Mrs. Granger had glanced at her lovingly as she and Hermione chatted animatedly. Ron didn't mind that Hermione was focusing her attention on Lennie. He just watched with mild curiosity at Hermione around a girl her own age, something he hadn't really seen much before, with Ginny being younger and all. Halfway through dinner he had chuckled with this thought in his mind, because he was suddenly wondered what had made him daft enough not to notice that Hermione was a girl, even if she wasn't your average, bubbly one.
The plan for the next day was Lennie would take them around the town. Ron was feeling almost giddy with eagerness. He hadn't ever been in a fully Muggle neighborhood, what with the Lovegoods just down his street and a small number of other Wizarding families not too far away. He didn't expect anything in sharp contrast to his own neighborhood, but it would be interesting nonetheless. And he was looking forward to getting to know Lennie—she was a nice fresh of air amidst all the troubling thoughts they'd been dealing with lately.
Harry grunted in his sleep. Ron's body tensed instinctively. He waited for a few seconds with bated breath, half-expecting Harry to sit up drenched in cold sweat. But he didn't, and so Ron relaxed and felt his eyelids begin to droop. For some odd reason, he did not want to sleep. His mind seemed somehow packed with thoughts that needed to be sorted out. Why he would choose to do the thought sorting just before sleep was beyond him. He ignored the feeling of insomnia and closed his eyelids resolutely. He had them this way for a few minutes when he suddenly thought of something, completely irrelevant to anything else he had been thinking about.
I didn't say good-night to Hermione.
He opened his eyes drowsily and cursed his own brain. What kind of sleep-disturbing thought was that? You should say good-night to her.
It's one in the bloody morning, Ron shot back at the voice in his brain.
Well, sorry, Weasley, I'd forgotten how careless and rude you are.
Ron groaned softly. The voice in his head sounded way too much like Hermione. He didn't understand why he just didn't ignore it. But he found himself throwing the heavy covers off his body and standing on the cold wood floor. And before he knew it, his feet had led him to the door of Hermione's room.
He rubbed his eyes with his hands. This was immensely stupid. Hermione would just hiss at him, chastising him for waking her up for such a useless reason. Nevertheless, he raised his hand and knocked on the door. He stood with his eyes puffy with tiredness, waiting to see if Hermione would open the door.
She did. She looked as tired as he did. When she saw him, she gave him a curious look and rubbed her eyes like he himself had done just a minute before. Then she opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again, and then finally decided on keeping it closed. She folded her arms over her pajama shirt and gave him an expectant, are-you-mad look.
Ron let his mouth twist into a lopsided, sheepish grin. He saw a muscle twitch on the outside of her mouth and knew there would be no way she would be annoyed with him. He gave her a little wave and said, "I, er...well, I didn't say good-night to you. So...er...good-night."
Hermione gave him a suspicious look. "Are you kidding?" Ron raised his eyebrows in surprise and shook his head. Hermione looked at him like she had never seen him before. "Oh," she said softly. She seemed wide-awake now for some reason, and she was still looking at him strangely. Ron decided he would much rather be in bed, although he didn't regret coming. If that made any sense at all, then his name was Draco Malfoy.
Hermione's small smile made him ignore his thoughts. She nodded her head slightly and said, "Okay. Thanks." She bit her lip and looked at the floor for a moment before meeting his eyes again. "Good-night." She gave him one last unusual look—what was she thinking?—and simply stepped inside her room and closed the door.
Ron stood in front of the door even after she had closed it, aware that he still had the sheepish smile plastered on his face. He shook his head and thought, That's the mark of a great witch. That girl has powers beyond her own reasoning.
For she had managed to make him rise at one in the morning to say good-night. And when it came to forcing Ron Weasley to obey—well, that was something to brag about.
END POVThe next day, Lennie showed up earlier than expected. Ron was still sitting groggily at the breakfast table, munching half-heartedly at his toast. He hadn't had much rest last night. He'd gone back to bed and couldn't stop thinking about—coincidentally—Hermione. He was paying for it now, however, because he felt dreadfully tired. When Hermione announced that Lennie had arrived, Ron and Harry retreated to their rooms to change out of their pajamas. Despite his weariness, Ron was as eager as ever to explore the new frontiers, study the habitat of Muggles, understand all the wonder that was—
"The shopping centre? We're going to the shopping centre?" Harry said, raising an eyebrow. Hermione nodded cheerfully and grabbed his wrist with one hand and Ron's wrist with the other. Harry looked puzzled. "But the shopping centre isn't that...unique. I've never really been to one, but they're common, aren't they?"
Hermione turned around. "You've never been to a shopping centre?" She gave him a sympathetic look. "Those Dursleys are quite dreadful, aren't they?"
"I'm glad you've finally noticed," Harry said sarcastically. Hermione gave him a pointed look. Then she turned to Ron and said, "I'm sure you've never been to a shopping centre."
"What's a shopping centre?"
Hermione and Harry laughed. "You'll see," Hermione said, and she continued dragging them down the stairs to the foyer, where Lennie was waiting. She was wearing jeans and a white tank top, with her hair loose around her shoulders. Perched on her nose were glasses she hadn't been wearing the previous day. They were a nice oval shape that suited her features perfectly and she gave all reason to use the word "style" in the same sentence as "glasses." Harry and Ron grinned at her. She gave them a bright smile and waved.
"We're ready," said Hermione. "And I've got 60 pounds with me. Think that's too much?"
Lennie shook her head sagely. "There is never such a thing as too much money."
"I agree," piped Ron. Harry snorted.
Lennie grinned and said, "That's plenty, Herm. Let's go."
Hermione shot Ron a glance and started to move towards the door, but he was too quick. He grabbed her wrist and said, "Hey! You let her call you 'Herm.' How come I don't get that privilege?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, Ron, don't be petty about a silly nickname." She yanked her wrist out of his hand and walked out the door. The others followed suit, Ron scowling slightly.
Lennie told them that the shopping centre was not too far away, and so they wouldn't need a ride from Hermione's dad. Hermione seemed excited; Ron guessed she hadn't been to this shopping centre in quite a few years. Harry seemed pretty neutral about the whole thing. Lennie walked next to the trio, smiling contentedly.
Ron looked around as they walked. He had been right in thinking that the neighborhood was like his, minus the whole magical folk thing. The houses were larger than the ones in his neighborhood, all roughly about the size of Hermione's, with the same well-kept aspect. He quickly lost interest and became immersed in the conversation.
"...a load of work," Hermione was saying. "But it's quite all right, we understood why they did it, naturally, our most important test came at the end of the year—"
"Yeah, but they crossed the line between preparation and madness," Ron muttered.
Lennie laughed. "I suppose that means you put your work off?"
Ron grinned. "Of course. That's what all normal people do." He gave Hermione a teasing look and she slapped his shoulder. Ron distinctly saw Harry roll his eyes, but didn't say anything.
"So what's your life like, Lennie?" Ron asked. "I don't mean to pry or anything, but I guess it'll be easier for me and Harry to get to know you."
Lennie smiled and said, "Not to worry, I understand. I won't drag out my life story. That would be painfully boring. I've got a pretty average family. My parents are a lot like the Grangers; they met in high school and they've been together ever since. It's creepy sometimes how well they get along. Not very interesting, you know? My brother, Eric, is in university right now. He's twenty. He's been recognized tons of times for football AND academics. My parents are so overly happy." Lennie chuckled and rolled her eyes. "But that's all right. I guess they're just proud. I mean, my sister, Melinda, is only six and she's already considered gifted. So they have pretty good kids."
"I take it you're a good student, then?" Harry said, sounding mildly interested.
Lennie shrugged. "Yes, I suppose so. I hate my geometry teacher, though. Her purple eyebrows scare me half to death every time I look at her." Everyone shared a laugh for a bit and then let Lennie continue. "I'm really into sports. Mostly football. I play defender for my team, the Soaring Hawks. It's great fun. We have practice for 2 hours, 3 times a week. I love it, I'm a really big football nerd."
Ron knew he must look immensely confused. He'd only heard Dean talk about football (although he'd never accepted his offers to learn about the game) and he thought that the fact no brooms were involved made it boring. Hearing Lennie talking about it made it seem somehow much more interesting and fun. It was all in that vibe she gave off. Ron made a mental note to ask her a bit about the sport.
"My parents wish I was more into academics, though," Lennie said. "They gush over Eric and Melinda, so sometimes I'm kinda overlooked, but it's all right, I don't have a problem with it. I love what I'm doing and I don't need my parents to live my life for me." She smiled again and showed no signs of bitterness towards her parents. It was still a bit of a miracle that she was so optimistic. Ron immediately understood why she had such a great aura.
Hermione grinned and put an arm around her childhood friend. "Lennie was always very...er...outspoken. One time she brought her football shoes for show and tell at school, and some of the kids made fun of her because the shoes were torn and dirty."
"What happened?" asked Harry, looking amused.
Hermione laughed. "Let's just say that I doubt those kids will ever tease anyone again."
The group shared a laugh again, and Harry even gave Lennie a high five. She shrugged good-naturedly and said, "Hey, you've got to stand up for what you believe in. I don't like people telling me what I can and can't like, according to their perfect social structure. I don't care what's in and what's not; I do what I want, when I want to. If I got a sudden impulse to do a crazy rain dance, then I'd go ahead and do it." Lennie smiled. Ron suddenly realized how right she was. Maybe that was the secret to her optimism.
"What about you guys?" Lennie asked. "Tell me a little bit about yourselves."
Ron looked expectantly at Harry. He wanted to have time to think up the interesting manner to explain his life and personality, while of course leaving out everything about magic. He wanted Harry to go first so he could use some time to think. Harry didn't give him much though.
Hermione was giving Harry a very secret warning look, but Ron had no trouble seeing it. All it said was, "DON'T-MENTION-MAGIC." Harry gave a slight nod of his head to indicate he understood and said, "Well, what can I say? My life's not a novel or anything of the sort. My parents got killed in...a car crash, when I was one, so I don't really remember them much. Ever since they died, I lived with my messed up relatives, my aunt and uncle and their whale of a son. I didn't get very good treatment with them, so I was more than happy to go to boarding school. I've been there ever since. So far, I've made friends with a dirty-nosed redhead with an unbelievable temper and a bushy haired girl who talks too much." He gave his friends smiles, to show that in no way did he mean to insult them. Ron was glad; his voice had been emotionless while talking about his parents and the Dursleys. Harry rolled his eyes and added, "I've also managed to make enemies with one of my teachers and a snotty, rich brat who thinks both Ron and Hermione are scum. But we don't really care about him, since he's got the mentality of a two year old." Then, to Ron's dismay, Harry's voice donned the bitter tone once more. "Oh, and my godfather died in June."
Lennie bit her lip and shot a sideways look at Hermione, who was looking the ground. Ron gave Lennie a look that explained one simple thing; lately, Harry had always had this sort of attitude. Lennie seemed to be put-out by Harry's melancholy manner, but she quickly took the spotlight away from him. "Oh. Er...what about you, Ron?" she said.
Ron gave her a grateful smile. He was glad she had not made a big deal about Harry's declaration, because he knew it would have put him in an even fouler mood. "I come from a really huge family. There's nine—oh...um—eight of us. My mum and dad have been together forever, it seems, but it's good, I suppose, 'cause they never fight or anything. My siblings are great and everything, even though they're so much better than me at everything."
Lennie gave him a sympathetic pat. "You're preaching to the choir."
Ron was completely thrown off by her statement, but decided it must be a Muggle saying and ignored it. "Yeah. Heh. I mostly talk to Fred and George, the twins; they're 2 years older than me. They bug the crap out of me sometimes, but they're okay most of the time. They just opened a joke shop. Mum was in a right state. And I spend some time with my little sister but just 'cause she's 'together' with Harry." Lennie laughed at the slight scowl that appeared on Ron's face and at Harry's sudden grin. "I would have killed anyone else, but Harry's all right." He gave him best friend a friendly punch in the arm and then continued. "Er...yeah, okay, I have a sort of uncontrollable temper, but that's all because of her—"he pointed at Hermione, who rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile "—and that stupid cat of hers. And...uh, I'm a prefect." He made a mock disgusted face and shot Hermione a grin. "Basically...okay, you know that opposite polarities thing?" Lennie nodded, anticipating what he was going to say before he said it. "Yeah, well, I'm Hermione's opposite polarity." Everyone laughed and Hermione just shook her head.
"Is that true?" Lennie asked. Hermione nodded, looking somehow pleased.
"Oh, and one other thing," Ron said, holding up a finger. "I could live off sweets and chocolate."
Lennie's eyes lit up. "Oh, my God, me too! I am completely addicted to any sort of sweets! It's great, though, because I have the perfect metabolism for it."
Ron sniggered. "Yeah, me too. I'd probably refuse to live if I was allergic to chocolate or something."
Lennie laughed. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
"Honestly, that's why you two won't have any teeth by the time you're thirty," Hermione said, sounding disapproving and amused at the same time. "I've always told both of you."
"Yeah, but that's just because your parents are bloody dentists," Ron said.
Everyone sniggered.
"What about you, Hermione? What have you been up to?" Lennie asked.
"Oh, the same thing. I haven't changed at all, Lennie," Hermione said. "I'm still a bookworm—"(to which Ron responded, "That's the understatement of the year.") "—and always finishing my work on time. I'm always trying to make these two boys learn that, more often than not, I'm right. Ron here really thinks he can outsmart me sometimes. So, really, there's nothing interesting going on." Harry and Ron exchanged looks, knowing that Hermione meant, "There's nothing interesting going on that doesn't involve magic."
"Aw, come on, Hermione, you always have some sort of new project you're working on!" Lennie said, giving her friend a knowing smile.
"Er...I've been trying to learn how to knit," she said. Which of course set off Harry and Ron into a fit of giggles, which Hermione just dismissed as, "Simple minds have simple pleasures."
A few minutes later, they stood in front of the large building decorated with neon signs bearing names of restaurants and stores: the shopping centre. It was a pretty magnificent building, with glass panels surrounding the walkways and small, decorative trees in small clusters throughout the place. Many people walked around, chatting animatedly and holding paper and plastic bags brimming with merchandise. Ron let his lopsided grin make its way onto his face as Lennie said, "Welcome to our shopping centre, gentlemen."
END POV
For the second consecutive night, Ron lay awake. This time, however, he was not mesmerized by the constellations dotting the ceiling above his bed. This time, his thoughts were occupied by the events of the day, one that had been more delightful than he could have imagined.
Never being to a Muggle place like the shopping centre, he had kept wandering around, gazing at everything in wonder. He'd walk up to common things like a water fountain where people bent down to drink, then point at it and say, "The things they come up with!" Harry and Hermione had constantly been dragging him away before the Muggle passerby gave him any more weird looks. Lennie had merely laughed and thought he was saying things like that on purpose, and commented on how funny his "random" statements were. Ron knew how relieved his best friends were that they wouldn't have to cook up a shaky explanation for his strange behavior.
But that was the least of it; marveling at the Muggle things that he wasn't familiar with was nowhere near the highlight of the day. After he had grown somewhat accustomed to the Muggle environment, he had started to join in on the fun. Lennie had pointed out the stores that she liked and disliked, giving them short explanations about each one. Hermione was subjective when it came to the make-up shops, and that was no surprise.
"Honestly, why would they want to throw so much paint on themselves? Make-up is commercial and another reason for the whaling industry to continue. Then there are the people who wear make-up. All they achieve is becoming a slave to make-up, and the one day they don't wear any, they feel ugly. Besides, it's just another example of how everyone conforms. What's the point of being just like everyone else?" she said as they passed a store full of giggling girls fighting to find a good place to stand in front of the mirror.
Lennie laughed and said, "Hermione, you haven't changed one bit. But I agree. Well, my arguments are nowhere near as heated as yours but, you're right, make-up just makes people feel that their natural appearances aren't good enough. I don't bother with make-up, simply because I don't like it."
"And you don't need it," Ron added. Harry nodded and Lennie gave them grateful smiles.
As the day passed by, the group talked more and more. Sometimes, Ron would be talking enthusiastically with Lennie about their favorite hobbies and their preferred types of sweets (they had a lot in common) while Hermione kept trying to persuade Harry to go into a bookstore because "Muggle reading is just as important!" Then they would switch; Harry would talk to Lennie about sports (he kept the topic on football, of course, since he couldn't talk about Quidditch) and Ron would argue with Hermione about the restaurants throughout the shopping centre, which Hermione considered to be "greasy and unhealthy," contrasting sharply with Ron's idea of how tasty everything looked and smelled.
Lennie overheard their argument and suggested they buy chips, which Ron had never heard of. Harry was very keen to Lennie's suggestion; Hermione, on the other hand, wrinkled her nose. Lennie and Harry ignored her obvious objection and bought the food nonetheless. Lennie gave Ron some of her chips and he was immediately hooked. He shot Hermione more than one disbelieving look when she refused to eat them.
The best part of the day at the shopping centre was the Picture Booth Incident. Lennie had proposed that they take a few pictures in the small booth near the place where they bought the chips. This idea seemed to appeal to Hermione, who divided them up into different groups so that everyone would have a picture with everyone. Ron grinned as he remembered the event.
Trying not to make the bed creak, he sat up and picked up his copy of the pictures that was lying on the bedside table. There were six pictures in all, and they were all just as great—and funny.
First, there was Hermione and Lennie. It was the only normal one. The two girls were sitting together, smiling happily at the camera. Their eyes were shining and you could tell how ecstatic they were to be around each other again.
Next was the picture of Harry with Lennie. They were both winking at the camera, pointing their index fingers with a very sly manner that gave them the aspect of two very fun-loving friends.
Then came Ron's picture with Lennie. She had her head on her left shoulder, facing the camera, with her lips pursed. She looked cute. Ron was back to back with her, holding his head with his hands, looking like a giddy schoolgirl.
Harry and Hermione's picture was next. Harry had his hands around Hermione's neck, pretending to choke her, while Hermione let her tongue hang out, looking very much like a strangled person.
The next picture was Harry and Ron's. Ron was wearing Harry's glasses, making his eyes unfocused. Harry had his index finger stuffed prominently up his nose, looking simply enticed by the aspect of picking his nose.
Finally came the picture of Ron and Hermione. Hermione had her hands covering Ron's eyes. Ron had turned his arms back and used his hands to squish Hermione's cheeks, giving her a very puffy face.
Ron grinned at the picture. He couldn't decide which he liked better. He loved Lennie's pose in the picture with him. He couldn't help laughing at Harry picking his nose. And he very much liked staring at Hermione's eyes shining in her picture with Lennie.
He put the set of pictures back on the bedside table and lay down. Pulling the covers over his body, he closed his eyes and decided one thing. With places like the shopping centre and people like Lennie, Muggle life wasn't half bad.
A/n: Well, that's it. This chapter didn't have anything important really, but the next one definitely will. Again, guys, I want to remind you that what I write is not always what it seems, so don't assume what seems obvious, because you'll be surprised later. Or maybe that's a good thing...? I don't think this story will be longer than maybe 8, 9, or 10 chapters, but I still have to make up my mind. A big, special shoutout to Hannah, whom I had tons of fun chatting with and hope to do so regularly. Now...REVIEW!!!