Warning: Hell, do I need a warning anymore? You've read this
far - you know the drill.
A/N: You recognize it? J.K owns it.
Summary: No real plot update in that last chapter. Sorry 'bout that. Just a bit of fun was needed. It was getting too serious. *grin* Harry's getting braver in his banter with Draco. Could he finally be growing some balls? Ron and Hermione are silently kicking themselves for almost giving themselves away - and are considerably pissed for Malfoy's release. Draco's still bug-eyed in the hallway. And Snape? Who knows? Somewhere in the dungeons I would imagine.
Charzy: Thanks! It's an author's job to keep her readers on their toes, is it not? *grin* Glad you liked it.
Morri: I'm feelin' the vibes! Though, it was difficult to decipher them underneath all the turkey I've just eaten... *burp* Hope the update was quick enough for ya!
Red: You know what? I'm curious as to how this is going to end up too! *laughs* Damn, is that a bad sign? Thanks for reading!
Paul: You're hooked, huh? *giggles* I'm starting to feel like a dealer, over here... *grin* Makes me smile to know that you've enjoyed it this far... hope I don't disappoint!
Me3gogi: *blushes madly* My goodness! I've never had a reviewer like you before! *grins* Thank you soooo very much for your kind words! Keep 'em up! Flattery will get you EVERYWHERE... *bow to you*
Dragonsbane: Damn the man! You write whatever length chapters you want hon! *grins and thrusts her fist out in the air* Erm...yeah.
Frannie: So glad to hear you're feelin' better!! T'was worried for a bit. *smile* Hehehehehehe...yeah, I kinda like that first sentence, m'self. I mean, c'mon! Professor Sprout has a big ass! But then again, so do I...
Many thanks go out to my readers! Even those who don't feel like reviewing... been there m'self.
And, to quote my good buddie Dragonsbane:
On wif da story!
~*~
Seconds seemed to pass like days as Draco stood there, mouth agape, disbelieving his lack of creativity in the battle that had just ended. The battle he had just lost. That was twice now Potter had left him speechless. Fuck creativity...where was his control? On instinct, Draco composed himself; making sure his robes were straight and his hair was on tight - then promptly kicked the wall.
It was no mystery as to why Potter kept winning these little "mêlées" - Draco was letting him win. Not on purpose, mind you. No, that little four-eyed-freak kept coming up with "one- liners" that did nothing but perplex him, leaving him befuddled, thus - silent. "If you can't say something nice..."
Confound it all! Potter wasn't fighting fair! Draco managed a marred smirk at the thought. 'Would've made a good Slytherin.'
Talk about lack of creativity... "You will let me know about those ballet slippers, won't you?" What the fuck was that supposed to mean? How does one effectively respond when the other is talking nonsense? 'The eagle flies low at midnight...' Draco chuckled to himself. If Potter kept it up, he'd be locked away in a padded room before the semester's up.
'Well, that'd be one way of winning...' Draco smiled as he headed to the dormitory. 'But where's the fun in that?'
~*~
Harry had to muster all the self-control he had to make it around the corner in once piece. 'Calm...cool...collected.' He repeated it over and over again, counting the steps to the corner. 'Four...three...two...one...' Once properly out of sight, Harry jumped and did a little happy dance.
He was lucky the rest of Hogwarts was still at lunch, for he must've made quite the scene just then. Bounding around the hall, jumping off of walls, just short of yelling his triumphant victory to the whole school. One thought made its way from his head to his lips - "Yes."
Realizing how stupid he would look, but not really caring at that moment, Harry did a cartwheel.
His elated state was cut short by the sharp pain that erupted from his stomach. The pain was gone in an instant - but was there long enough for him to remember his job for the day. Quickly, and without another thought, Harry made a B-line for the library.
~*~
As usual, the Library was practically empty. It seemed no one made use of Hogwart's extensive collection of books on the weekend - well, no one except Hermione. But even his bookworm of a best friend was nowhere to be found. It was better this way, Harry mused. The less explanation, the better.
The silence was deafening. Every step he took seemed to echo throughout the room - alerting Madam Pince of his presence. Something he would rather NOT do. Harry hoped he wouldn't have to go to the restricted section for information about the amulet, but he always ended up there. Why was it that everything that was somehow valuable or connected to his life in the restricted section? Probably the fates' idea of a good joke.
As he scanned the shelves, Harry realized that he had no idea where to start looking. Every other time he'd been here, he was with Hermione, and she already knew where to go. The one time he came alone, back in his first year, he'd nearly been caught by Filch and had broken his best lantern in the process. Harry always took Hermione with him after that.
Tentatively, Harry made his way over to Madam Pince, who was busy rebinding a book that had had the cover torn off it. He could hear her muttering under her breath. "...blasted Longbottom...scares too easily...last time I'll do this without charging..." Harry hated to interrupt her, but he needed some help - and it seemed she was the only person around to do it.
"Umm, excuse me, Madam Pince?"
The haggard woman looked up, and irritable expression already on her face. "Yes?"
"I was wondering..." Harry tried to think of the best way to phrase his question without giving too much away. "Where could I go to research information on amulets?"
Gruffly, and without blinking, Madam Pince pointed to the large book that stood alone on a large podium in the center of the Library. Harry smiled, still confused, and made his way to the book.
How had he not noticed this before? The podium itself had to be made of oak, very old oak, and it spiraled up at least ten feet. How was he supposed reach it? Then he noticed a large brass square right in front of the podium, with the words "Stand on me" etched on it. Cautiously, Harry took a step in and centered himself directly on the square. He barely had time to think "What now?" before the square shot up, shooting him upwards at lightning speeds before promptly halting again. Harry thanked the Gods for his ability to balance, as it would've been too easy to fall off. After his pulse had returned to normal, Harry looked down at the book that was now easily accessible. Well, maybe not easily - considering it took such odd measures to get to it in the first place.
He studied the book for what seemed to be an eternity. All the pages were blank, and there was a large feathered quill neatly resting in its brass ink well, and nothing else. Not wanting to look stupid, but not having any ideas as to what to do either, Harry tried to get Madam Pince's attention.
"Ummm, excuse me? Madam Pince?"
No reaction.
"Madam Pince?" A little louder this time.
Still no reaction.
Harry took in a deep breath and broke the single most important rule in a library. He yelled.
"MADAM PINCE?"
Suddenly, as if a heart attack had just gripped her, the shocked librarian dropped the book she was repairing. It made a loud "THUD" as it hit her desk, and then the floor. Then slowly, methodically, she turned and looked at Harry - who was turning a light pink by this time.
"Ummm...sorry. What do I do now?"
Even though she was a good thirty feet away, Harry could hear her sigh.
"Write down your question. The book will do the rest."
Harry nodded his thanks and quickly turned back to the book. He picked up the quill, dabbed a few drops of ink back into the well, and wrote down his question.
'I need to find information on Amulets.'
Soon after he wrote the words down, they dissolved into the paper. Harry shuddered as he remembered the last time he encountered a book that ate his words. Not wanting to re-hatch the past, Harry concentrated on the paper. Suddenly, his response dissolved.
'Put down the quill.'
Harry furrowed his brow, but obeyed. The words dissolved, and new ones appeared.
'Brace yourself.'
Not quite sure what was going on, Harry was about to turn around to Madam Pince again, but was quickly distracted by the sound of books being torn off the shelves. He barely had a chance to prepare himself before a book flew around a corner and into the air. It was headed straight for him. Lucky for Harry his reflexes were good and he caught it without much trouble. Soon another book flew at him. Then another. And another. Before it was all over with, Harry's upper half was lost under a pile of books. The brass square he was standing on slowly lowered back to its original position, and he was on solid ground again. Carefully, Harry carried the teetering pile of books to the nearest table, trying his best not to make any more noise. He was sure he could hear Madam Pince chuckling in the background.
Harry spent a good two hours looking through the books he had been given, but found nothing on AroMankin's Amulet. He was about to give up when he checked the "master list" the book at the top of the podium had given him. So far, everything had checked out. He had all the books the library had on Amulets...all except one.
"Præbias Potens"
Harry checked and re-checked to make sure it wasn't there. It wasn't. Convinced this was the book he needed, though he had no idea as to what the title meant, Harry made his way over to Madam Pince.
"I'm sorry to keep disturbing you," Her eyes met his. "But there was a book on this list that didn't, um, arrive."
Scowling, Madam Pince scanned the list. "Which one, Mr. Potter?"
Harry pointed it out as she let out a small laugh.
"It's in the restricted section, isn't it?" His frustration was evident.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, it is." She turned her head back to what she was doing, and Harry took that as his cue to leave - till she kept speaking.
"Not that it would do you too much good, anyway."
"What do you mean?"
Madam Pince simply stated, "It's been checked out."
Harry stared at her. "Checked out?"
"Am I speaking too softly for you, Mr. Potter?" The sarcastic edge in her voice was one that could rival Professor Snape's on a good day. "Or have you gone deaf from all your yelling?"
"No, I heard you. Sorry to have bothered you." Harry slumped his shoulders in defeat and left.
~*~
Ron and Hermione had given up looking for Harry after hours of searching high and low for him. He was too good at hiding, and Hogwarts was a big castle. They were both worried for their friend, but they knew him too well - he'd find them when he was ready. Besides, they were preoccupied in a good game of chess.
Ron was hunched over the chess board, one knee up on the oversized chair, his elbow neatly rested on his knee, hand softly running over his chin - deep in thought.
"Will you PLEASE move?"
His eyes flickered up for a moment, obviously not amused. "I will when I'm ready."
Moments of silence passed before Hermione spoke again.
"That's it. I win by default."
"What?!"
"You're taking too long." Hermione's glare was indignant.
"I am not taking too long, and if you must know..." His cheeks getting flushed. "It's all part of my strategy."
"What...bore your opponent to death? Some strategy..."
"Just because you know nothing about chess doesn't give you the right to criticize a master in his element."
Hermione had to choke back her laughter.
"Master?!? You consider yourself a MASTER?"
Ron cocked his head in mock-wonder. "Who was it again who got us through the chess board our first year? Hmmmm...let me think...not Harry...not YOU...oh yes. ME!" Ron moved his Queen three spaces. "Your move."
"If I remember correctly, you about got yourself killed." Hermione sat up in her chair. "And if I may REMIND YOU - you wouldn't have lived long enough to even GET to the chess board if I hadn't saved your sorry arse from the Devil's Snare!" Hermione countered with her Bishop - 2 spaces. "Your move."
"Oh yes - thank you so very much." Ron also began to rise... "The next time a petunia attacks me, I'll know who to call."
The blood in Hermione's veins was pumping so furiously by that point that she was sure an artery would burst at any moment. That didn't stop her, though.
"If you think for one moment, Ronald Weasley, that I would EVER stop what I was doing to go and help your pathetic, sorry-excuse of a wizard ARSE - you've got another thing coming!"
"Checkmate."
~pause~
"What?!"
Ron was grinning madly as he coolly replied.
"Checkmate."
Hermione got up out of her seat and examined the chessboard.
"But..."
"Yes."
"I can still..."
"No."
Hermione's jaw dropped. He had beaten her. Not that it was any big surprise, really. He was, in fact, VERY good at chess. Not that she'd ever tell him, though. Defeated, Hermione slumped back in her chair. It took her a few moments to finally speak.
"You did that on purpose."
"What?" Ron tried his best to put on an innocent face.
"You got me all riled up, just so I wouldn't see what you were doing."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The two of them held a moment together before bursting into violent fits of laughter.
"You are such a cheater!"
"That was great! You should've seen your face!"
"I still can't believe I fell for it."
"Oldest trick in the book." Ron wiped a tear away.
Finally, the laughter died down...the occasional "hoo" escaping. There was a silence, but it was a good silence. The sort of silence that only true friends can have without getting uncomfortable. It was in that moment that the thoughts and questions that he had been avoiding began to creep up into Ron's head. Before he had another chance to dismiss them, Ron took a deep breath and spoke.
"Mione?"
Hermione looked up at him, her face still flushed from laughing so hard. "Yes, Ron?"
"I've been meaning to ask you something..."
A chokehold took over her body as Hermione tried to reply as coolly as she could. "Yeah?"
"Yeah...it's about these dreams I've been having." Ron swallowed. "I think...I think I need your help."
Hermione looked at him longingly, eager to hear what he had to say. The butterflies in her stomach were bound to get loose if she opened her mouth - so she just nodded. Vigorously.
Ron was starting to fidget. This looked to be really hard for him to say. 'How adorable!'
"Before I say anything, I want you to know...well...I need to know that we'll still be friends." Ron looked at her pleadingly.
"Of course, Ron. I'll always be your friend, no matter what." Hermione tried her best to keep her voice from wavering.
"This is just really hard..."
Hermione took his hand in hers.
"You can tell me anything, Ron."
Ron managed a weak smile and took a deep breath.
"Okay."
~Pause~
"I've been having dreams about...Harry."
~Pause~
"Mione?"
~Pause~
"Hermione!?" There was a twinge of panic in his voice.
"Yes...yes...sorry. I'm here. I heard you. I just..." '*Thought you were having dreams about me!*' Hermione tried to hide the disappointment in her voice.
"I just didn't expect that."
Ron sighed. "Yeah, I know. Me neither."
Hermione begrudgingly switched from 'potential lover' to 'good friend.'
"Do you think...I mean...does this mean you're..."
"No!" Ron 'bout jumped out of his seat. "No, I mean...I don't know. I've just had a few dreams about him. I don't know if that makes me...well...you know." His eyes fell to the floor as he pulled at his sleeves.
"Well, how do you feel?"
"I don't feel any different, Mione! I still like him - just as a...well, you know. A friend." Ron's gaze met hers, and it sent shocks down her spine. "I need your help. What do you think it means?"
Hermione paused as she thought. This was a big deal to him - it was pretty obvious that Ron trusted her. It wasn't easy to get the youngest Weasley boy to admit his feelings to ANYONE, but he had chosen her. She couldn't help but feel happy. If she couldn't win his affections, then deepening their friendship was the next best thing.
"I think you should trust your gut."
"What?" Of all the answers Ron was expecting, this certainly wasn't one of them.
"You have instincts for a reason, Ron. If your gut tells you you're not gay, then you're probably not." Hermione smiled at him. "But if it tells you, well, if it tells you differently...then you owe it to yourself to explore that feeling."
"Well, that doesn't help!"
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"What did you expect me to say? Go jump on Harry and see what happens?"
"Well no! But..." Ron's face was turning redder by the second. "I'm right back where I started! I kind of expected you to know a spell, or a potion or something..."
Hermione couldn't help but chuckle. "You think there's a spell for these kind of things?"
Ron started laughing as he pictured it. Take this potion, and if you turn blue, you're straight. If you turn red, you're gay. And if you turn purple...
"No, I suppose not." Ron smiled at her. "Thanks."
"So..."
"So..."
"What does your gut say?"
"It says..." Ron looked at her seriously. "I should've finished my lunch. I'm starving!"
It was another fifteen minutes before they could stop laughing.
~*~
Harry made his way down the hall towards the Gryffindor Portrait. He was still royally ticked off for wasting an afternoon in the library, only to find the one book he needed was checked out! From the restricted section, no less! He knew one thing for certain...it was a professor. It had to be. No one else would have clearance. It figured, though. Once again, permission denied. Instead of brooding over the inevitable, Harry decided to focus on more pleasant thoughts... Draco. Technically, it was Malfoy's turn for vengeance - but Harry wasn't about to wait around for that. He had an idea.
As Harry approached the Fat Lady, he could hear laughter coming from the Common Room. A smile found its way to his lips as he recognized the voices.
"Virtus"
The two Gryffindors stopped chuckling when they saw him - one grinning his usual grin, the other scowled.
"Harry, where were you? We looked everywhere for you!"
Harry shrugged. "Sorry, 'Mione. I was in the library."
It took a second for the two to realize he was serious.
"The library?"
"And you didn't ask me to come?"
"Sorry!" Harry tried not to chuckle. "I needed...some alone time."
Ron eyed him suspiciously.
"You're not doing something behind our backs are you?"
"No! Nothing like that...it's just that...well I..." For some odd reason, Harry could spin the best of tales with anyone - ANYONE, that is, except his friends. "I was working on a revenge plot for Malfoy."
Hermione and Ron exchanged a smug smile before they raced over to Harry.
"What do you have in mind?"
"It's nothing illegal, is it?"
Harry motioned for them to all sit down. Once they were huddled around the Gryffindor fireplace, Harry let them in on it. Not all of it - just the parts they needed to know about. Besides, he'd need their help for it to work.
"Okay...Hermione, what do you know about hypnotizing someone?"
~*~
Okay gang! That's ch.11! Let me know what you think!!! I'm all ears over here! R&R!! PLEASE!!!
A/N: You recognize it? J.K owns it.
Summary: No real plot update in that last chapter. Sorry 'bout that. Just a bit of fun was needed. It was getting too serious. *grin* Harry's getting braver in his banter with Draco. Could he finally be growing some balls? Ron and Hermione are silently kicking themselves for almost giving themselves away - and are considerably pissed for Malfoy's release. Draco's still bug-eyed in the hallway. And Snape? Who knows? Somewhere in the dungeons I would imagine.
Charzy: Thanks! It's an author's job to keep her readers on their toes, is it not? *grin* Glad you liked it.
Morri: I'm feelin' the vibes! Though, it was difficult to decipher them underneath all the turkey I've just eaten... *burp* Hope the update was quick enough for ya!
Red: You know what? I'm curious as to how this is going to end up too! *laughs* Damn, is that a bad sign? Thanks for reading!
Paul: You're hooked, huh? *giggles* I'm starting to feel like a dealer, over here... *grin* Makes me smile to know that you've enjoyed it this far... hope I don't disappoint!
Me3gogi: *blushes madly* My goodness! I've never had a reviewer like you before! *grins* Thank you soooo very much for your kind words! Keep 'em up! Flattery will get you EVERYWHERE... *bow to you*
Dragonsbane: Damn the man! You write whatever length chapters you want hon! *grins and thrusts her fist out in the air* Erm...yeah.
Frannie: So glad to hear you're feelin' better!! T'was worried for a bit. *smile* Hehehehehehe...yeah, I kinda like that first sentence, m'self. I mean, c'mon! Professor Sprout has a big ass! But then again, so do I...
Many thanks go out to my readers! Even those who don't feel like reviewing... been there m'self.
And, to quote my good buddie Dragonsbane:
On wif da story!
~*~
Seconds seemed to pass like days as Draco stood there, mouth agape, disbelieving his lack of creativity in the battle that had just ended. The battle he had just lost. That was twice now Potter had left him speechless. Fuck creativity...where was his control? On instinct, Draco composed himself; making sure his robes were straight and his hair was on tight - then promptly kicked the wall.
It was no mystery as to why Potter kept winning these little "mêlées" - Draco was letting him win. Not on purpose, mind you. No, that little four-eyed-freak kept coming up with "one- liners" that did nothing but perplex him, leaving him befuddled, thus - silent. "If you can't say something nice..."
Confound it all! Potter wasn't fighting fair! Draco managed a marred smirk at the thought. 'Would've made a good Slytherin.'
Talk about lack of creativity... "You will let me know about those ballet slippers, won't you?" What the fuck was that supposed to mean? How does one effectively respond when the other is talking nonsense? 'The eagle flies low at midnight...' Draco chuckled to himself. If Potter kept it up, he'd be locked away in a padded room before the semester's up.
'Well, that'd be one way of winning...' Draco smiled as he headed to the dormitory. 'But where's the fun in that?'
~*~
Harry had to muster all the self-control he had to make it around the corner in once piece. 'Calm...cool...collected.' He repeated it over and over again, counting the steps to the corner. 'Four...three...two...one...' Once properly out of sight, Harry jumped and did a little happy dance.
He was lucky the rest of Hogwarts was still at lunch, for he must've made quite the scene just then. Bounding around the hall, jumping off of walls, just short of yelling his triumphant victory to the whole school. One thought made its way from his head to his lips - "Yes."
Realizing how stupid he would look, but not really caring at that moment, Harry did a cartwheel.
His elated state was cut short by the sharp pain that erupted from his stomach. The pain was gone in an instant - but was there long enough for him to remember his job for the day. Quickly, and without another thought, Harry made a B-line for the library.
~*~
As usual, the Library was practically empty. It seemed no one made use of Hogwart's extensive collection of books on the weekend - well, no one except Hermione. But even his bookworm of a best friend was nowhere to be found. It was better this way, Harry mused. The less explanation, the better.
The silence was deafening. Every step he took seemed to echo throughout the room - alerting Madam Pince of his presence. Something he would rather NOT do. Harry hoped he wouldn't have to go to the restricted section for information about the amulet, but he always ended up there. Why was it that everything that was somehow valuable or connected to his life in the restricted section? Probably the fates' idea of a good joke.
As he scanned the shelves, Harry realized that he had no idea where to start looking. Every other time he'd been here, he was with Hermione, and she already knew where to go. The one time he came alone, back in his first year, he'd nearly been caught by Filch and had broken his best lantern in the process. Harry always took Hermione with him after that.
Tentatively, Harry made his way over to Madam Pince, who was busy rebinding a book that had had the cover torn off it. He could hear her muttering under her breath. "...blasted Longbottom...scares too easily...last time I'll do this without charging..." Harry hated to interrupt her, but he needed some help - and it seemed she was the only person around to do it.
"Umm, excuse me, Madam Pince?"
The haggard woman looked up, and irritable expression already on her face. "Yes?"
"I was wondering..." Harry tried to think of the best way to phrase his question without giving too much away. "Where could I go to research information on amulets?"
Gruffly, and without blinking, Madam Pince pointed to the large book that stood alone on a large podium in the center of the Library. Harry smiled, still confused, and made his way to the book.
How had he not noticed this before? The podium itself had to be made of oak, very old oak, and it spiraled up at least ten feet. How was he supposed reach it? Then he noticed a large brass square right in front of the podium, with the words "Stand on me" etched on it. Cautiously, Harry took a step in and centered himself directly on the square. He barely had time to think "What now?" before the square shot up, shooting him upwards at lightning speeds before promptly halting again. Harry thanked the Gods for his ability to balance, as it would've been too easy to fall off. After his pulse had returned to normal, Harry looked down at the book that was now easily accessible. Well, maybe not easily - considering it took such odd measures to get to it in the first place.
He studied the book for what seemed to be an eternity. All the pages were blank, and there was a large feathered quill neatly resting in its brass ink well, and nothing else. Not wanting to look stupid, but not having any ideas as to what to do either, Harry tried to get Madam Pince's attention.
"Ummm, excuse me? Madam Pince?"
No reaction.
"Madam Pince?" A little louder this time.
Still no reaction.
Harry took in a deep breath and broke the single most important rule in a library. He yelled.
"MADAM PINCE?"
Suddenly, as if a heart attack had just gripped her, the shocked librarian dropped the book she was repairing. It made a loud "THUD" as it hit her desk, and then the floor. Then slowly, methodically, she turned and looked at Harry - who was turning a light pink by this time.
"Ummm...sorry. What do I do now?"
Even though she was a good thirty feet away, Harry could hear her sigh.
"Write down your question. The book will do the rest."
Harry nodded his thanks and quickly turned back to the book. He picked up the quill, dabbed a few drops of ink back into the well, and wrote down his question.
'I need to find information on Amulets.'
Soon after he wrote the words down, they dissolved into the paper. Harry shuddered as he remembered the last time he encountered a book that ate his words. Not wanting to re-hatch the past, Harry concentrated on the paper. Suddenly, his response dissolved.
'Put down the quill.'
Harry furrowed his brow, but obeyed. The words dissolved, and new ones appeared.
'Brace yourself.'
Not quite sure what was going on, Harry was about to turn around to Madam Pince again, but was quickly distracted by the sound of books being torn off the shelves. He barely had a chance to prepare himself before a book flew around a corner and into the air. It was headed straight for him. Lucky for Harry his reflexes were good and he caught it without much trouble. Soon another book flew at him. Then another. And another. Before it was all over with, Harry's upper half was lost under a pile of books. The brass square he was standing on slowly lowered back to its original position, and he was on solid ground again. Carefully, Harry carried the teetering pile of books to the nearest table, trying his best not to make any more noise. He was sure he could hear Madam Pince chuckling in the background.
Harry spent a good two hours looking through the books he had been given, but found nothing on AroMankin's Amulet. He was about to give up when he checked the "master list" the book at the top of the podium had given him. So far, everything had checked out. He had all the books the library had on Amulets...all except one.
"Præbias Potens"
Harry checked and re-checked to make sure it wasn't there. It wasn't. Convinced this was the book he needed, though he had no idea as to what the title meant, Harry made his way over to Madam Pince.
"I'm sorry to keep disturbing you," Her eyes met his. "But there was a book on this list that didn't, um, arrive."
Scowling, Madam Pince scanned the list. "Which one, Mr. Potter?"
Harry pointed it out as she let out a small laugh.
"It's in the restricted section, isn't it?" His frustration was evident.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, it is." She turned her head back to what she was doing, and Harry took that as his cue to leave - till she kept speaking.
"Not that it would do you too much good, anyway."
"What do you mean?"
Madam Pince simply stated, "It's been checked out."
Harry stared at her. "Checked out?"
"Am I speaking too softly for you, Mr. Potter?" The sarcastic edge in her voice was one that could rival Professor Snape's on a good day. "Or have you gone deaf from all your yelling?"
"No, I heard you. Sorry to have bothered you." Harry slumped his shoulders in defeat and left.
~*~
Ron and Hermione had given up looking for Harry after hours of searching high and low for him. He was too good at hiding, and Hogwarts was a big castle. They were both worried for their friend, but they knew him too well - he'd find them when he was ready. Besides, they were preoccupied in a good game of chess.
Ron was hunched over the chess board, one knee up on the oversized chair, his elbow neatly rested on his knee, hand softly running over his chin - deep in thought.
"Will you PLEASE move?"
His eyes flickered up for a moment, obviously not amused. "I will when I'm ready."
Moments of silence passed before Hermione spoke again.
"That's it. I win by default."
"What?!"
"You're taking too long." Hermione's glare was indignant.
"I am not taking too long, and if you must know..." His cheeks getting flushed. "It's all part of my strategy."
"What...bore your opponent to death? Some strategy..."
"Just because you know nothing about chess doesn't give you the right to criticize a master in his element."
Hermione had to choke back her laughter.
"Master?!? You consider yourself a MASTER?"
Ron cocked his head in mock-wonder. "Who was it again who got us through the chess board our first year? Hmmmm...let me think...not Harry...not YOU...oh yes. ME!" Ron moved his Queen three spaces. "Your move."
"If I remember correctly, you about got yourself killed." Hermione sat up in her chair. "And if I may REMIND YOU - you wouldn't have lived long enough to even GET to the chess board if I hadn't saved your sorry arse from the Devil's Snare!" Hermione countered with her Bishop - 2 spaces. "Your move."
"Oh yes - thank you so very much." Ron also began to rise... "The next time a petunia attacks me, I'll know who to call."
The blood in Hermione's veins was pumping so furiously by that point that she was sure an artery would burst at any moment. That didn't stop her, though.
"If you think for one moment, Ronald Weasley, that I would EVER stop what I was doing to go and help your pathetic, sorry-excuse of a wizard ARSE - you've got another thing coming!"
"Checkmate."
~pause~
"What?!"
Ron was grinning madly as he coolly replied.
"Checkmate."
Hermione got up out of her seat and examined the chessboard.
"But..."
"Yes."
"I can still..."
"No."
Hermione's jaw dropped. He had beaten her. Not that it was any big surprise, really. He was, in fact, VERY good at chess. Not that she'd ever tell him, though. Defeated, Hermione slumped back in her chair. It took her a few moments to finally speak.
"You did that on purpose."
"What?" Ron tried his best to put on an innocent face.
"You got me all riled up, just so I wouldn't see what you were doing."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
The two of them held a moment together before bursting into violent fits of laughter.
"You are such a cheater!"
"That was great! You should've seen your face!"
"I still can't believe I fell for it."
"Oldest trick in the book." Ron wiped a tear away.
Finally, the laughter died down...the occasional "hoo" escaping. There was a silence, but it was a good silence. The sort of silence that only true friends can have without getting uncomfortable. It was in that moment that the thoughts and questions that he had been avoiding began to creep up into Ron's head. Before he had another chance to dismiss them, Ron took a deep breath and spoke.
"Mione?"
Hermione looked up at him, her face still flushed from laughing so hard. "Yes, Ron?"
"I've been meaning to ask you something..."
A chokehold took over her body as Hermione tried to reply as coolly as she could. "Yeah?"
"Yeah...it's about these dreams I've been having." Ron swallowed. "I think...I think I need your help."
Hermione looked at him longingly, eager to hear what he had to say. The butterflies in her stomach were bound to get loose if she opened her mouth - so she just nodded. Vigorously.
Ron was starting to fidget. This looked to be really hard for him to say. 'How adorable!'
"Before I say anything, I want you to know...well...I need to know that we'll still be friends." Ron looked at her pleadingly.
"Of course, Ron. I'll always be your friend, no matter what." Hermione tried her best to keep her voice from wavering.
"This is just really hard..."
Hermione took his hand in hers.
"You can tell me anything, Ron."
Ron managed a weak smile and took a deep breath.
"Okay."
~Pause~
"I've been having dreams about...Harry."
~Pause~
"Mione?"
~Pause~
"Hermione!?" There was a twinge of panic in his voice.
"Yes...yes...sorry. I'm here. I heard you. I just..." '*Thought you were having dreams about me!*' Hermione tried to hide the disappointment in her voice.
"I just didn't expect that."
Ron sighed. "Yeah, I know. Me neither."
Hermione begrudgingly switched from 'potential lover' to 'good friend.'
"Do you think...I mean...does this mean you're..."
"No!" Ron 'bout jumped out of his seat. "No, I mean...I don't know. I've just had a few dreams about him. I don't know if that makes me...well...you know." His eyes fell to the floor as he pulled at his sleeves.
"Well, how do you feel?"
"I don't feel any different, Mione! I still like him - just as a...well, you know. A friend." Ron's gaze met hers, and it sent shocks down her spine. "I need your help. What do you think it means?"
Hermione paused as she thought. This was a big deal to him - it was pretty obvious that Ron trusted her. It wasn't easy to get the youngest Weasley boy to admit his feelings to ANYONE, but he had chosen her. She couldn't help but feel happy. If she couldn't win his affections, then deepening their friendship was the next best thing.
"I think you should trust your gut."
"What?" Of all the answers Ron was expecting, this certainly wasn't one of them.
"You have instincts for a reason, Ron. If your gut tells you you're not gay, then you're probably not." Hermione smiled at him. "But if it tells you, well, if it tells you differently...then you owe it to yourself to explore that feeling."
"Well, that doesn't help!"
Hermione rolled her eyes.
"What did you expect me to say? Go jump on Harry and see what happens?"
"Well no! But..." Ron's face was turning redder by the second. "I'm right back where I started! I kind of expected you to know a spell, or a potion or something..."
Hermione couldn't help but chuckle. "You think there's a spell for these kind of things?"
Ron started laughing as he pictured it. Take this potion, and if you turn blue, you're straight. If you turn red, you're gay. And if you turn purple...
"No, I suppose not." Ron smiled at her. "Thanks."
"So..."
"So..."
"What does your gut say?"
"It says..." Ron looked at her seriously. "I should've finished my lunch. I'm starving!"
It was another fifteen minutes before they could stop laughing.
~*~
Harry made his way down the hall towards the Gryffindor Portrait. He was still royally ticked off for wasting an afternoon in the library, only to find the one book he needed was checked out! From the restricted section, no less! He knew one thing for certain...it was a professor. It had to be. No one else would have clearance. It figured, though. Once again, permission denied. Instead of brooding over the inevitable, Harry decided to focus on more pleasant thoughts... Draco. Technically, it was Malfoy's turn for vengeance - but Harry wasn't about to wait around for that. He had an idea.
As Harry approached the Fat Lady, he could hear laughter coming from the Common Room. A smile found its way to his lips as he recognized the voices.
"Virtus"
The two Gryffindors stopped chuckling when they saw him - one grinning his usual grin, the other scowled.
"Harry, where were you? We looked everywhere for you!"
Harry shrugged. "Sorry, 'Mione. I was in the library."
It took a second for the two to realize he was serious.
"The library?"
"And you didn't ask me to come?"
"Sorry!" Harry tried not to chuckle. "I needed...some alone time."
Ron eyed him suspiciously.
"You're not doing something behind our backs are you?"
"No! Nothing like that...it's just that...well I..." For some odd reason, Harry could spin the best of tales with anyone - ANYONE, that is, except his friends. "I was working on a revenge plot for Malfoy."
Hermione and Ron exchanged a smug smile before they raced over to Harry.
"What do you have in mind?"
"It's nothing illegal, is it?"
Harry motioned for them to all sit down. Once they were huddled around the Gryffindor fireplace, Harry let them in on it. Not all of it - just the parts they needed to know about. Besides, he'd need their help for it to work.
"Okay...Hermione, what do you know about hypnotizing someone?"
~*~
Okay gang! That's ch.11! Let me know what you think!!! I'm all ears over here! R&R!! PLEASE!!!