Chapter 24: Why must I be a teenager in Love?

The next day, they all waited excitedly for the evening to come. It was going to be their first analysis lesson. Most sixth years were looking forward to it, because they remembered the fun they had during Lupin's Defence against the Dark Arts lessons.

They only people, who were not pleased, were the Slytherins. They didn't appreciate Remus Lupin because he was a werewolf and they didn't like his poor appearance.

The Gryffindors were waiting in front of the Defence against the Dark Arts classroom, chatting happily, while the Slytherins were scowling at them.
The door opened with a creaking noise and Remus Lupin told them to enter.

He motioned everybody to take a seat and started explaining about their new subject.

"Good evening to all of you. I want to make it clear, right from the start that you will take this subject voluntarily. After tonight, those who do not wish to come back will not have to. But those among you who consider a career as an Auror must notice, that Analysis classes might and surely will help them in their future job. Tonight, I'm presenting you different types of wizards, beginning with their physical appearances, their jobs and their hobbies.

You can work in groups of three or four and then I will hand each group a different wizard chart, to work with. Your task is to find out by logical thinking if the wizard is innocent or might be a lawbreaker. Don't judge the wizard by his looks.

Good luck everybody!"

Harry, Ron and Hermione worked together as a group and they immediately began discussing about the wizard they saw in front of them. They read the chart with the information Lupin had given them.

"He looks quite innocent, doesn't he? I mean… he looks cultivated and all", said Ron.

"Yes, but look at his hobbies. He's very interested in the Dark Arts. He might not be up to something good. And here! In his files it says that he has a police record", fired Hermione back.

"Not everybody who's interested in the Dark Arts is evil. You could say Hagrid was evil, look at his animals!" protested Ron.

"But Hagrid's NOT dangerous!"

"I know. I just want you to realize that this man might be innocent too!"

Ron's ears had become very red and Hermione was fuming. They both wanted to be right and Harry was sitting between them, not knowing what to think or what to do.

"Harry? What do you think?" asked Hermione, glaring at him.

"Ehm… well… I don't really know… but I'd say he's innocent. I mean Ron's right. We could call Hagrid dangerous from what we know of him."
"OH NO!" exclaimed Hermione.

She suddenly calmed down as somebody laid his hand on her shoulder. Professor Lupin was standing behind her.

"So… what do you think? Is this man innocent?" he asked.

Ron nodded and Harry confirmed Ron's idea, while Hermione was scowling at the too of them.

"Of course he's not innocent!"

"Now now, Hermione. I am sorry, but you would have just sentenced an innocent person. But don't worry, there's still a lot that you have to learn. Well done, boys."

Ron grinned satisfied at Hermione. She opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Lupin who addressed himself to the whole class.

"I hope you've seen a little bit what this class will be like. As it is additional, there will be neither exams nor notes in this course. Those of you, who wish to come back, twice a week for two hours, may sign here."

Lupin handed out a parchment where many pupils including Harry, Ron and Hermione – and to their surprise Malfoy – signed their names.

As they left the room, Ron noticed Hermione's angry look.

"Oh come on! You're not still angry about this class. It was just the first time we did it, everyone could have been wrong."

"I am not angry". Hermione's voice sounded as if she was going to cry any moment.

Ron couldn't help grinning. "Why are you offended? Just because for the first time in your life, you're not knowing something we know?"

"RON! I told you, I am not angry. Besides, it was only luck that you found out! Goodnight!"

"Oh yes, she is not angry at all", said Ron sarcastically to Harry.

The next days, they were busy with schoolwork, Quidditch practises and analysis classes. The sixth years barely had some free time and if they had, they had to cope with their large amounts of homework they had to do.

The teachers would only say that they couldn't start early enough with the preparation for their N.E.W.T.´s exams, when somebody asked the reason for this supplementary work.

Hermione still hadn't spoken with Ron about their little disagreement and Ron was not doing anything to make it up with her. In the contrary! He kept reminding her about her mistake and made fun of her.
For Harry and Ginny, those days were hard, because they hardly saw each other, except for the Quidditch practises. They were not able to spend much time together, because they had to improve for their match against Hufflepuff and on weekends, they both spend their time with loads of homework.

Finally, one week before Christmas, everything calmed down. The teachers didn't give them too much homework anymore and they had time to do it during the holidays.

This evening, the Monday, before the holidays began, Harry and Ginny were sitting on the couch in front of the common room fire. It was the first time they actually had time to spend together without any homework to worry about.

"It feels so good to be near you again. I've been missing you for some time, Harry", admitted Ginny.

"I missed you too, I didn't have much time for you, but now I am here whenever you want me", he answered, giving her a long intense kiss.

Hermione who had been sitting near them, reading a book, suddenly got up.

"If I have to watch you too any longer, I'm going to be sick", she said angrily to the cuddling couple and left the common room.

Harry, Ginny and Ron looked after her in bewilderment.

"She's acting strangely lately, don't you think? She's not still on about the first analysis class, is she?" asked Harry.

It was true. Hermione still hated thinking about what happened in their first analysis class, even if she was doing fine all the following times. She couldn't stand failure and in her eyes this first lesson had shown her failure.

But lately Harry and Ginny had noticed Hermione's uneasiness whenever she saw them together. They had talked about this with Ron, who assured them that it wasn't their fault. They still didn't know about their quick kiss on Halloween night and Ron didn't plan to tell them right away.

Instead, he decided looking for Hermione and talk to her. "Maybe she'll tell me what's her problem…"

Even as Ron had spoken these words he thought they sounded silly. He was the last person in the whole world Hermione would want to talk to. He made her feel so bad the last weeks. He had to make it up with her right now.

Ron didn't have to go far to find Hermione. He found her near the portrait hole, her face buried in her hands. Ron could hear her soft sobbing and he felt very miserable.

He sat down next to her and touched her arm softly. Hermione looked up and her heart began racing as she realized that Ron was sitting at her side.
"Hey…" he whispered.

"Hey…" she replied, wiping her tears away.

"What's up with you Hermione? Do you have any troubles? Is it because I made fun of you? Look, I am really sorry about this. I didn't think it would make you feel this bad!"

Hermione gave him a weak smile. "No, I'm not angry at you anymore… At first I was, but now I've realized that it's normal to fail sometimes."

She said these words with some difficulties; she still didn't like admitting her failure. "I don't really know what's wrong with me. Something has changed. Maybe it's just because Ginny and me don't spend much time together anymore. We both had hardly any time the last weeks and now she spends every free minute with Harry. I understand that they want to be together, but I need somebody to talk to. I need my best friend."

"I know Hermione… but you've still got me" Ron comforted her.

"Thanks Ron. But it's not just the same. I like you, but it's girl talk I miss."

Ron suddenly had the large feeling to enclose her in his arms, but he didn't dare to. Instead he thought that now was the perfect time for a rash action. He made clear that nobody was watching, but the corridor was deserted.

"Ehm… Hermione? There's one other thing. Do you… I mean… do you wanna go out with me?"

Hermione blushed furiously. She had expected anything but this.

"Oh… yes, sure. I've got to go now Ron. Thank you very much."

Then she quickly went back to the common room.

"Hermione, are you alright again?" asked Ginny as Hermione came back.

"Yes. I have to do my homework", she said absentminded.

Back in her dormitory, Hermione felt a strange sensation insider her stomach. She thought a swarm of butterflies was flying inside her intestines. She was nervous because of the date, happy because she looked forward to it and sad because she didn't know how to behave.
She was extremely worried about those new feelings she never felt before.

In meantime, Ron had come back inside and wasn't able to turn his grin off. Dreamily he climbed up to the dormitory. Harry was astonished and followed him up to their bedroom.

"Did you just win the lottery? One minute you're sad and grumpy and now you're grinning the hell out of you. Tell me what happened!"
"Harry!" exclaimed Ron excitedly. "I asked her out for a date! I've got a date with Hermione!"

"No way! When? I can't believe it; you finally made up your mind about her."

"Yes. I just realised how much I actually like her. The date will be tomorrow night…"

"Hermione? Are you there? I want an explanation. First I see you coming back, lost in thoughts, and then Ron comes back smiling like a madman. What did you talk about?"

Ginny had followed Hermione into her dormitory, demanding the reason for her strange behaviour. Hermione showed no sign that she had noticed Ginny's presence.

"Hermione! Tell me what happened… you seem kinda worried about something. Do you listen to me?"

Hermione looked up, wearing the same dreamily expression on her face as Ron.

"We have a date, tomorrow night."

"Who? No, you mean… Ron has finally asked you out? Great! What are you going to wear?"

"I don't know. Oh my gosh, I didn't even think about that", panicked Hermione, earning a bemused look from Ginny.

Whenever Ron and Hermione were together the following day, they were both extremely nervous and talked very delicately to each other. Harry and Ginny had a hard time to fight their giggles. Soon, most of their fellow Gryffindors had noticed their strange behaviour.

Finally, the evening arrived and both Hermione and Ron got themselves ready. Ginny helped Hermione with her hair and Harry tried to calm Ron down.

At seven o'clock, Ron and Hermione met in the common room. She wore a black jeans and a red t-shirt. Ron was clothed in dark trousers and a white shirt.

As they left together, many curious gazes followed them. Ron and Hermione didn't talk to each other as Ron led on the way.

After several minutes they were standing in front of the room of requirement. Ron thought hard about the perfect room for a date and walked three times past the wall. Suddenly a large door appeared out of nowhere and as they entered the room, they saw a round table in the middle of the candlelight lit room.

The ceiling was bewitched to look light the night sky, same as in the Great Hall. All around the room were different sorts of flowers.

Hermione was impressed and surprised to find this room. She liked it very much; it had such a romantic touch.

"Wow Ron! This is amazing! When did you have time to prepare this?"

"I thought you were the smart one", he laughed. "You know how it works. You go pass the wall three times and then you think about what room you need and it will appear. I just sort about the perfect place for you and me and here we are! I am glad you like it."

Hermione's eyes were shining. She didn't find words to say how much she appreciated the whole room and all Ron had done for her.

She sat down at the table and Ron put her chair straight, then he took the place opposite her.
All of a sudden, food-loaded plates appeared in front of them.

"How did you do that?" wondered Hermione.

"Ehm… with a little help from Dobby…" admitted Ron shyly. He didn't know if Hermione was still about protecting houselves and he was afraid that she could turn him down if she heard that Dobby had helped him.

But to his relief, Hermione didn't say anything concerning houselves and just gave him a warm smile. Ron was glad that he was sitting on a stool; he felt his knees go weak and his heart racing like mad.

During dinner, they talked about many things. First with some difficulties, because they were both to nervous to look into each others eyes. But after some time they had a very intense conversation about their future.

"What do you want to do when you have left Hogwarts?" asked Hermione.

"Well, I think it would be cool to be an auror, though I do not know if my marks are good enough for the job. I'd really like to do it; otherwise I don't know what else would be interesting for me. Are you going to take S.P.E.W. further?"

"I wanted to, but now I think that maybe I'll not earn enough money with this. There's so much pain in the world and I would prefer to help other people. I am thinking about working as a mediwizard at St. Mungo´s. But I'll try to fight for the rights of houselves in same time."

They finished their meal and after the plates had vanished, Ron offered Hermione his arm and led her over to a large couch, standing by a fireplace. They sat down and the unknown nearness made them both feel a bit uncomfortable. Hermione was looking at the dancing flames in the fireplace and winced slightly as Ron touched her hand. She was looking away from the fire and gave him a soft smile.

Suddenly a thought came to her mind and she asked the one question she had wanted to ask all the time.

"Why did you want me to go out with you tonight? Was it just to make me feel better?"

She looked expectantly at him, still smiling. Ron was encouraged by her smile and took her hand in his. His heart made a jolt and he had the feeling to be hovering above the ground. Without a reason, Hermione felt herself going very nervous, her stomach was making summersaults and a slow fear rose inside her.

"No", said Ron. "I asked you out because… ehm… do you remember that night, the Halloween night? We talked about that kiss and you told me it was meaningless to you. Well, it wasn't meaningless to me. I just didn't want to admit it, but now I do…"

The fear turned into panic, because she didn't know what was going to happen next or she didn't want to realize that this perfect moment was nothing to be afraid of. To her, the kiss on Halloween hadn't been meaningless either. But she didn't want, she couldn't tell Ron this. She just needed to get out of this room! She tried to pull her hand out of Ron's grip, but he enclosed it softly and she couldn't fight the feeling to be locked in a room without enough oxygen.

Ron felt her barely sensible struggle to get away, but he didn't want to let her go now. He had to tell her about his feelings tonight. It was the perfect moment and he knew that if he didn't do it tonight he would never ever dare to tell her.

"Hermione… there are some things I want you to know. I wanted to tell you all this some time ago, but I didn't have the guts to tell you. We have known each other for a little more than five years now, and during this time, my feelings for you changed. In first year, I couldn't stand you; you were just an insufferable know-it-all. But I quickly changed my mind, and this happened on a Halloween night too, as you see. Then we became friends and it was only in our fourth year that my friendship to you became more. It was after I had seen you with Krum, that I realized I wished to be the person on your side, instead of him. During our fifth year, I became unsure of my feelings and so many strange things happened around us. But now I know. I have never had the courage to tell you how beautiful and perfect you seem to me. I really like you…"

During this confession he kept looking at her and now he waited for her to say something.

But to his fright, Hermione's eyes filled with tears and she whispered: "I'm sorry Ron… I can't…"

She ran out of the room, the tears now running down on her cheeks. Ron could do nothing to hold her back and very deceived, he made his way back to his bedroom.

The next morning Harry waked Ron up. He wanted to know anything about the date.

"SO? How was your evening? Why… why are you looking so sad?"

Ron had barely slept during the night. He looked very miserable and he only half caught everything Harry was saying.

"What would you look like? How would you feel if… if the girl of your dreams wouldn't like you?"

"Hermione doesn't like you? Are you sure? What did she say?"

"After I told her how I feel about her, all she could say was that she's sorry…"

"Sorry about what? That's really bad…" replied Harry. He didn't know what to say, he had never seen Ron so hurt in his life before.

"Dunno… maybe she's sorry she went out with me. I don't wanna talk about it anymore."

Ron and Harry went down into the Great Hall. Harry took the seat next to Ginny, who sat next to Hermione. So Ron took the seat on Harry's other side. Harry and Ginny felt very uncomfortable. Neither Ron nor Hermione looked or even talked with each other. They completely ignored the other's presence.

Harry and Ginny exchanged meaningful looks with each other, understanding that Ron and Hermione had told them about their date. They didn't talk much during breakfast and as the bell rang Ginny was glad to escape the embarrassing situation.

During Potions, Hermione was so confused that she kept mixing the wrong ingredients in her kettle. This was actually the first time she ever failed at Potions. Usually, she was one of the few who succeeded to brew the potions without any difficulty. In her mind she kept going back to her date and she imagined situations in which she hadn't run away and told Ron that she felt the same way. But now she thought that she could never ever again have a chance to tell Ron about this.

To make matters worse, Hermione's potion turned out to be even the perfect reason for Snape to tell her off. Her fellow Gryffindors were surprised to see, that Hermione didn't seem to care about the reprove he gave her. It was stranger, because she used to be the best potion brewer in her class.

But Ron was not doing better. He had not even begun brewing his potions. His thoughts were wandering around, and his kettle was still empty. He sighed all the time and looked into his kettle without throwing anything in it.

By now, Snape had at least twice called Ron to begin with his potion and reminded Hermione to pay attention. At the end of the lesson, he had realized that his orders had not been followed and he was fuming.

"How many times do I have to tell you what to do? I will not tolerate this behaviour anymore. Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley, you will both receive detention tonight. Come to the dungeons at seven o'clock tonight. I hope we can mend your lack of concentrating if you brew the potion again tonight. Class is dismissed."

Potions were not the only class, Ron and Hermione didn't pay attention to, but at least it was the only subject they had received a detention. After classes, Harry and Ron were having dinner. Ron barely ate something and was sinking into self-pity. He would not forget about Hermione. How would he ever be able to speak normally with her again? His heart was aching as he thought about the girl he had a crush on.

Meanwhile, Ginny and Hermione were sitting in the library, because Hermione wanted to avoid Ron. She had burst in tears as she retold Ginny once again about her date with Ron. She hadn't been able to sleep and felt exhausted. Ginny felt sorry for Hermione and patted her gently on the shoulder.

"Why didn't you tell him about your feelings for him? Don't you like him anymore?"

Hermione looked up, her eyes red from all the crying. "Yes, I do like him. But yesterday, I wasn't sure about my feelings anymore. I felt knocked out. I am so stupid. I should have told him everything. I have hurt his feelings. I just told him that I was sorry…"

Ginny hugged Hermione who had begun crying again. "It's going to be alright, you'll see. It's seven o'clock. Won't you come with me and have dinner?"

But suddenly Hermione remembered. "Oh no! Seven o'clock? I've got a detention… with Ron…"

She quickly left the library and arrived just in time to meet Ron and Snape in front of the dungeons.

"You will be remaking today's potion. You'll find the instructions on the blackboard. You've got two hours and I'll lock the door, so don't even think about wandering off."

Ron and Hermione were standing next to each other. They didn't look at each other, but the two of them tried not to think about the two hours they had to spend together in this room.
Ron broke the awkward silence.

"Come on. We've got work to do." He walked off to take a seat and wanted to begin with his potion.

After some quick reflections, Hermione brought herself to finally talk to Ron. Now was the time to clear this row out of the world and make it up with him.

"Ron, wait", she sighed, walking towards him. "I… I didn't want to run away yesterday!"

Ron felt anger rising inside and looked at her, his eyes glaring. "Why did you do it then? Let me guess… you're too afraid of love, no? Oh no, no! You're too ashamed to admit that you have gone out with a Weasley! Then why did you go out with me in first place?"

"I am not ashamed! Ron, don't even think about things like that. You are one of my best friends…" said Hermione, taken aback.

"Then why did you accept to go out with me?"

After a short moment Hermione sighed sadly. "I don't know…"

"Yes, I understand. Who could ever love such a stupid poor prat as I am! Is that what you wanted to tell me?" he shouted.

"Ron. Please let me finish. You're words surprised me. I wasn't prepared for that and I was struck down. I was afraid, that's true and I still am afraid…"

"I am so fed up. I wish I had never asked you out, because you wouldn't even recognize your true love if it stood right in front of you! When will you finally accept your feelings, because I won't wait anymore!"

Hermione had tears in her eyes. Ron's words had hurt her, but she knew that they were true. He had a point. She had hidden her feelings to long.

"You don't have to wait anymore, because now I won't suppress my feelings anymore."

She moved closer to him, her heart beating very fast. She felt hot and cold at the same time and her feelings were driving her crazy. She lent closer and kissed Ron softly on the lips.

Ron pushed her away and looked at her, thunderstruck. "Do you think one kiss can make it up between us? Why should I believe that you really love me? What the -?"

But Hermione interfered before Ron could say more. "There's one more thing I need to tell you. To me this kiss on Halloween wasn't meaningless either, but you were the one who told me he was sorry, immediately after the kiss. I didn't want you to see how much I enjoyed this evening and told you it was meaningless to me to, but it wasn't.
I am not sorry about the Halloween date, neither am I sorry about yesterday's date. Please believe me; I've never liked anybody as much as I like you."

Ron grinned happily at her. She had whipped his worries away. He embraced her and they shared a long intensive kiss.

They were overjoyed and smiled at each other.

"I think we still have to finish our potion!"

"That's my Hermione", laughed Ron and hugged her.

After they had finished with their potions, Snape let them go back to their dorm. They walked back hand in hand and enjoyed being together. As they entered the common room, Harry and Ginny were waiting for them.

They saw Hermione and Ron holding hands and didn't understand what was going on now. Hermione and Ron couldn't help laughing as they saw their friend's stupid faces.

"Oh, I am so glad you're together now. Tell me everything tomorrow, in detail", Ginny said to Hermione, before going to bed.

"Well, I'm off to bed too. Ron I want a report on this evening", grinned Harry. "Night Hermione!"

Hermione and Ron were standing alone in the common room. They still couldn't believe that they were a couple now.

"Finally we made our minds up", sighed Hermione, leaning her head on Ron's chest.

"Yes…finally!"

They kissed each other passionately and went to bed.