20

An Area of Secrets

Ron was sitting in the Great Hall, chewing despondently on a piece of toast when his sister and Harry entered, having what seemed to be an interesting conversation. He looked behind them. No Luna.

"Hey, Ron," Harry said.

Ron just nodded in acknowledgement, not feeling like talking with his mouth full as he usually did. He swallowed his food and took a swig of orange juice. "Where's Loony?" he asked, glancing at Ginny discreetly.

"The clouds captivated her," Harry replied.

Ron gave him a look of concern and took another bite of toast, shoving the rest of it, which was more than half a slice, into his mouth.

He saw Hermione coming, with a book under her arm, out of the corner of his eye.

"So," Harry said, "Ginny told me that you told her about your issue with Her-"

Ron swallowed quickly, however painful it was, for Hermione was within hearing distance of the conversation. "Mother," he interrupted Harry, "Yes, her mother is a very and unpleasant woman."

Harry suddenly spotted Hermione and realised his near mistake. He gave Ron a look of apology.

Hermione sat down and everyone was silent. The small area had secrets, neither of which she knew of.

Harry was the first to speak, though very reluctantly. "Hi, Hermione," he said simply.

Hermione looked up and smiled. "Hello, Harry," she said, opening her book.

"Here to read us some stories?" he asked.

Hermione shrugged. She didn't have anything to say to either of her friends. She would talk to Ginny if the chance arose, but Ginny seemed neither interested in talking nor able to since she had taken to eating a breakfast meat of some sort.

Ron decided he was finished and left the Great Hall. Hermione focused on the pages of her book, not wanting to admit that she was mad at herself for being a pain.

Harry glanced at her, but Luna entered, and he was drawn to the Ravenclaw table.

Ginny looked at Hermione expectantly. "I wonder what that was all about," she said, hoping to draw Hermione into a conversation.

"Pardon? What, what was all about?"

Ginny smirked into her napkin. "You know, Ron's immediate exit as soon as you sat down."

Hermione looked up at Ginny, giving her a look that said, "Who cares?" and she returned to her book.

Ginny finished her meal and left, making sure not to look at Harry and Luna as she walked out the door.