CHAPTER 5

Ron opened his eyes wide and jumped back from Hermione.

"Bloody hell," Ron said throwing his hands up in the air. He got the nerves to kiss Hermione and she whispers Harry's name. This totally goes against what he thought earlier. Hermione did think about Harry before him, just like everyone else.

"No," Hermione said desperately. "Not you."

"Yeah, I know," Ron said walking away.

"No!" Hermione said louder. She stopped Ron from walking away and pointed to the window.

Ron looked and saw a snow white owl perched outside the window.

"It's Hedwig," Hermione said. "Harry wrote to us."

Now that Ron thought about it. Harry never wrote back if he could come or not. He just assumed Harry couldn't come and didn't bother to write. It's been a couple of weeks since Ron sent Pig out with the news. What kept Harry from writing this long? Ron thought. Hermione went to the window and let the bird in. She took the parchment while Ron gave Hedwig a snack. Hermione quickly read the letter and gave it to Ron with a puzzled look.

"What does this mean?" Ron asked, just as confused as Harry.

"I don't know," said Hermione. She read the letter a couple times more through.

Dear Ron and Hermione,

I'm not at the muggles' anymore. But I can't say where I am. It's kind of the reason why it took me so long to write back to you, and why I can't come to visit. Stop worrying about me. I'm fine.

From,

Harry

"This letter just doesn't sound like Harry," Hermione said giving the letter back to Ron. "Sirius just died and he's saying he's fine?"

"He probably just said it so you would stop worrying about him," Ron said. "Besides, people grieve differently than others."

"But, why would he say 'I'm fine' when he's obviously isn't," Hermione said frowning. "I should write to Harry right now!"

Hermione opened her chest to take out a new parchment.

"Don't you see?" Ron asked. "He doesn't want you to worry about him. I'm sure, wherever he is, he's fine. Sure, Sirius's death was a bad blow. It was a bad blow to all of us. But Dumbledore would never let Harry be alone and unsafe after what happened in June."

"I know," Hermione said sighing. "I'm just worried."

"Me too." Ron took the parchment from Hermione and placed it down on the bed. She was now looking up at him and Ron had a comforting hand on her shoulder. Ron wanted to try the kiss again, feeling a lot better that Hermione wasn't thinking about Harry when he was about to kiss her.

Hermione looked down really quick, but looked back up into his eyes. She placed a hand on his chest and slowly lifted her head so her lips could meet his. But another interruption occurred. This time it was Ginny. She opened the door and saw Ron and Hermione in a very interesting position. She smiled knowingly and said, "Well, it looks like you two aren't fighting anymore. Ron, mum wants you downstairs." She looked at the couple one more time in the room before turning around and walking down the stairs.

"How is the door unlocked," Ron said, walking to the door. "You tried to open it, right? You were with me. You saw how I couldn't open the door."

"Yes, I was," Hermione said, walking to the door now too. "That's a bit odd. Ron, has your doors been known to lock itself?"

"Not that I know of. Come on, let's go see what my mum wants."

When they both entered the kitchen, Mrs. Weasley was dressed in muggle clothing. Mrs. Weasley rarely wears muggle clothing unless she was going out to the nearby village to buy some grocery.

"Going out?" Ron asked his mother.

"Yes, I need to go and buy some vegetables for lunch," Mrs. Weasley explained. "But while I'm out, I need you to peel the skin on the potatoes."

Mrs. Weasley pointed to the bucket of potatoes in the kitchen.

"If anything happens, call your father with this." She handed Ron what seem like a doorbell buzzer. "Press the button and your father will apparate here."

She checked her purse to make sure she had some money with her.

"Oh, I wish I had someone of age here, watching you three," Mrs. Weasley said, sighing. "In case you need to use magic."

"Mum, we don't need a baby-sitter," Ginny whined. "We're old enough to take care of ourselves. Besides, nothing is going to happen that will require magic."

"Ginny's not going with you?" Ron asked.

"No, there are loads of potatoes in there," Mrs. Weasley explained. "And Ginny said she should stay and help you."

"She did, did she," Ron said, narrowing his eyes at Ginny.

Ron knew the look in Ginny's eyes meant she was up to no good. She didn't want to stay behind to help Ron peel potatoes. No, Ron knew better. She has something up her sleeves, she's planning something. Ron knew he doesn't want to find out what she has in store for him and maybe even Hermione.

"Take Ginny with you," Ron said. "She can help you carry some of the grocery back. Besides, I think me and Hermione can handle it."

Ginny looked at her mother. Mrs. Weasley looked between Ron and Hermione. She shook her head. "No, Ginny stay." Ginny looked relief and then the mischievous look was back in her eyes.

"Alright, I'll be back soon," Mrs. Weasley said as she left the house.

Ron gave a warningly look Ginny not to do anything funny. The trio walked over to the sink and took out bucket carrying the potatoes. For the first five minutes, they were just peeling the potatoes, not talking. Then, Pig flew through the window with a letter attached to her leg.

Ron looked at Pig confused because he doesn't remember sending Pig out. Maybe it was another letter from Harry. Ron went to pick up his owl, but Ginny beat him to it and snatch the owl away from him.

"I borrowed Pigwidgeon," Ginny said, walking towards the staircase. "I hope you don't mind."

"Who are you writing to?" Ron asked. But, when he turned around, Ginny was already up the staircase, up in her room. Ron turned back around and ask Hermione, who looked like she wasn't sure if she should answer for Ginny.

"You know who it is? Who is it?"

"Dean Thomas. Who else?"

"But why?"

"Are you that thick? Ginny told you she was seeing Dean at the end of fifth year. Remember, she told you on the train."

"Yes, but I thought she was kidding."

Ron and Hermione went back to peeling the potatoes while Ginny was up in her room. Probably writing Dean back. Ron didn't like the idea that his sister was dating. But the thing was, she was dating Dean Thomas. Ron had nothing against Dean though. They were roommates all five years at Hogwarts. Then, he pictured his sister sneaking into their room for a midnight snog with Dean.

"Remind me to give Dean a right kick in the ass when we go back to school," Ron muttered to Hermione.

Hermione ignored Ron and asked in a whisper, "Where do you think Harry is?"

Ron, who briefly forgot that Harry wasn't with the muggles, shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe he went back to Grimmauld Place," Ron suggested. It was the only place that made sense. Harry didn't really have any other real home.

"Yes," Hermione said after some thought. "He's with Lupin, or Moody, or maybe even Dumbledore. But then again, Dumbledore might be too busy to really watch Harry. And, after everything that happened, Harry really needs someone to be there for him and watch over him. But why would they take Harry away from the muggles? What happened that caused Harry to be taken away from his relatives? Maybe Harry went on holiday somewhere. But is that wise to take him away from England after he's back…"

Hermione was now rambling on to herself. She gets like this when she's trying to figure things out. It helps her think, but it gives Ron a headache. After a while, Ron learned to tune her out. But sometimes, he would pick up a few segments of her rambling, so it would appear as if he was paying attention. So far, the questions she asked were questions Ron was starting to think about. Ron stared out of the window, wondering what Harry was doing at this moment.