Okay, so hopefully this chapter will explain a few things. Not all of them, of course, but a few. And I'm still contemplating about the two ships. They won't be shown for another chapter or two.
And no, I still don't own any of these characters.
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Chapter 3: Confession
Breakfast was an uncomfortable affair. Ron was playing his part as the human vacuum, like he did every day. Harry was unusually subdued. Hermione, on the other hand, seemed on the verge of a breakdown.
The youngest Weasley boy was the first to speak. "Allkiff arr ee?" His friends gave him half-exasperated, half-confused looks. Ron finally swallowed and repeated, "Talkative, aren't we?"
Hermione merely shrugged. "What's there to talk about?"
"Anything! This silence is driving me bloody mad!"
She snorted. "All right... well... I think Harry needs a haircut or something. It looks like he downed a Hair Lengthening potion recently."
The raven-haired boy, who had been half-heartedly picking at his food, looked up, his head on his hand. "So?" he asked in a dead voice.
"Maybe Mrs. Weasley should cut it for you," she said playfully, hoping his spirits would lift. It was such a dramatic change from the other day. Hermione knew Harry a little too well enough to know that he was only truly silent when something was really bothering him.
But he only returned to picking at his food. "What do you think I should do with it?" he finally asked slowly.
She gave a funny face. "Whatever you want. It's not my hair. I just think it's ridiculous how you let it get so long. You look like a sheepdog, Harry."
Ron snorted at this remark. "You kind of do look a bit sheepdog-ish mate," he added.
Harry merely looked at him, then back at Hermione. "... Fine," he finally said, and taking a random band, he pulled his black hair into a ponytail. Several locks still fell over his face, but he looked about 10 years older.
Hermione smiled. "Much better," she replied, and proceeded to search her bag for who-knew-what. Ron returned to eating.
Had either of them bothered to look up, they would have seen Harry flush bright red.
X
Charms class. They were supposed to be trying to review a simple Organizing Charm. They had been split into pairs. Harry and Ron sat in the far back, whereas Hermione had been paired with Neville (who had managed to gain a bit of confidence in his magic, as he was doing much better; to Hermione's delight, he organized Flitwick's entire bookshelf, though he was supposed to be aiming at his own notes) in the front.
Since the classroom was its usual noisy self, the boys were able to talk privately.
The flame-headed one looked anxiously at his companion for what seemed to be the millionth time. "You okay, Harry? You seem off today."
"It's Monday," was the flat reply.
"Yeah, but something's been bothering you."
Harry looked away, his face as red as, to be cliche, Ron's hair. "It's nothing." His tone was highly unconvincing.
"You're blushing. Is it Cho again?"
"No. Don't ask me anything, Ron."
But alas, Ron wasn't about to give up so easily. "It's not me, is it?"
"No, now stop."
"Who is it, then?"
"It's none of your business!" Harry cried out.
Ron was unaffected. "You know if you don't tell me what's wrong, I'll let Hermione know something's up. She can get it out of you."
The 'Chosen One' turned his head away, feeling his face burn even more. "... Yeah, I know."
"Good. Now, please tell me what's wrong." Silence. Then a dawning expression crossed Ron's face. "It's Hermione, isn't it? You're still speechless about the whole pureblood thing, aren't you?"
The black-haired boy shook his head. "No, it's not that..." He then said something completely inaudible.
Ron leaned over. "What? I can't hear you."
Suddenly, Harry snatched Ron's collar and pulled him close. "I said, I think I'm falling for her," he snarled. He let go and his head fell. "... Sorry, mate. I didn't mean to-"
"It's okay."
"No, it's not. I know you told me you thought you were feeling the exact same thing. But... I don't think I can stop this." Harry's head fell again, this time into his hands.
Ron sat silent for a minute. Then, at last, he said, "Harry... you know... I don't... I don't think I feel that way anymore. It kind of... faded over the summer. If you really, you know, love her and stuff..." He shrugged. "Take her, man. She's your's."
Harry bolted upright. "Ron-"
"I'm serious."
"But-"
"On one condition: If you two start snogging in front of me, I will literally kick your ass down the entire hallway."
They burst out laughing. "Okay, okay," Harry said, a grin splitting into his entire face. He couldn't help it. Then it fell once more. "But... how am I going to tell her?"
"It doesn't matter, but I suggest you do it soon."
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AWWWW, isn't that so cute? Sorry, opportunity reared its ugly head again. Unless you really think this was cute.
Okay, does that make a couple of things clear? Not all of them, of course... but R+R anyways! Thanks!