OMG I LOVE JOHNNY DEPP…so freaky…I love Tim Burton…anyway, please enjoy!

Chapter 11

Left of the Middle

She comes out of closets every night
Then she locks herself away
Where she could keep everything from me
I could have been anyone you'd seen
she's nothing but porcelain underneath her skin

Llllllll

Hermione sat wondering what she could possibly do to make Ron stop acting so silly. She knew that she had to corner him, with or without Harry's help, even if that meant going into the boys' lavatory.

She knew that Harry wouldn't help her. She knew him too well. He was obsessed with that stupid box that lies in Professor Darling's classroom, which was probably something quite usual…probably. Hermione kept reassuring herself of this because she trusted Professor Darling too much; she almost looked up to her.

'Harry? I really need you to get Ron to duck into the washroom again, or somewhere…just tip him off that I'm coming ok.' She said minutes later to Harry, who just entered the Great Hall with Ron. Harry and Hermione were walking ahead of Ron since he was sulking behind.

'Why?'

'So I can talk to him. Look, I'm cheerful and affable I can't just jinx him in the middle of the Great Hall while everyone is looking. Plus, I don't need another detention.' Hermione finished sitting down at the table and helping herself to a bun and hot soup. Ron sat beside Harry (separating himself from Hermione who gave him dirty looks) and was eating a hearty serving of roast beef.

'So what are you two doing for Christmas?' Hermione asked, even though it was close to two months away. 'Well, Ron and I have to stay here…so I guess that means that you are going to be staying here with us aren't you Harry. It will be wonderful; I think that we should go to Hogsmade for a Butterbeer. Wouldn't that be nice?'

'Yes Hermione, I believe that it would be nice to go there before Christmas, but why do you and Ron have to stay here?' But before Hermione could say the reasons, the look in Harry's eyes told her that he already knew.

'The play.' She said helplessly. 'Why don't you come to the practices, they may be fun, and you can finally meet Darling.'

'I've met her, she's my teacher and a snake.'

'Harry! She's done nothing wrong.' Hermione angrily stated.

'She hiding something.' Harry said irritably.

'I think Hermione's right' Ron said and both Hermione and Harry gawked at him. It was the first thing he said in Hermione's presence in several days.

Ron stammered at trying to explain himself, Harry had rarely witnessed him taking Hermione's side, especially after S.P.E.W. 'Well, what I mean is…Darling is a nice person. She doesn't seem to be up to anything.'

'Thank-you Ronald, see even he agrees with me.' Hermione said knowingly.

'Well, I say that we should check out that box tonight. You two have practice soon right, well, I can sneak in after the practice with the invisibility cloak on and when the old bat goes to bed, I'll let you two in and then settle this!' Harry said, setting mashed potatoes and gravy on his empty plate.

'That's incredible nonsense Harry. If she was trying to hide something, she would have done a better job then leaving it out in the open.' Hermione retorted.

'That's just what she wants you to think. She's very manipulative' Hermione wasn't buying anything Harry was saying. Sure Harry has been right about these things before but, this was crazy, if she wanted the box hidden, she would have done a better job of it…right? Hermione was staring at her plate, her inner mind having a war with itself and then she tuned into Ron and Harry talking about what could be in the box.

'It's probably materials for something dark!'

'Ron, I thought you were on my side?' Hermione said in a degrading tone.

'Well, she is a bit suspicious you know, Harry does make a point… She's sweet, but suspicious. For instance, why was she so concerned if all the 'things' were there?' Ron still looked uncomfortable talking to Hermione, which both Harry and Hermione noticed.

Dinner was soon over and many students stayed behind to talk over tea or play chess. Many also left for Professor Darling's classroom for their practice.

'So, this is how it's going to work. You two will be the last to leave, Ron you will hold the door open for Hermione, who will wait until I go past. Then you two will wait five minutes before coming back ok?'

'Harry, this is ridiculous-'

'What ever happened to the fearless Hermione?'

'Oh all right! I'll do it! Geez'

'Glad to hear it! I'll see you two at ten!' Harry said before leaving up the stairs to the Gryffindor tower, while an awkward Hermione and Ron continued towards the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom. Many other students who were in the play were headed there as well, so Hermione's plan to confront Ron was foiled.

It was a long practice that very few people were looking forward to. It was in the middle of the week, all fifth years were laden with homework, the six the seventh years had many things to do and look after before they graduate and still, they had their practices to attend.

Hermione amazed Ron, once again. Even though she was the lead, she managed too finish all her Herbology homework though the practice. Some of the other first and second years scribbled down their answers to their homework, especially the ones in the Gryffindor tower who knew Hermione was prefect; and she showed no remorse in showing it.

'Good good!' Professor Darling said halfway through the play. They were at the part where Romeo was about to kill Tybalt for killing Mercutio. A lot of the first years were having a hard time remember their lines and Darling seemed to penalize them for this. She did, however comment on the fact that Hermione no longer was using her book and that she was using much more emotion.

'It just goes to show that once you have the silly little paper out of your face, you can free yourself with your lines, which Hermione has greatly done. Now Ron, you have almost all of your lines memorized, but you need to have them fully memorized in order to choreograph your death moves and the fight scene where you are so sadly slain. I suggest a study partner.' She added quickly before moving onto the next matter of Romeo, saying basically the same thing.

Ron glanced hastily over to Hermione who was looking unsteadily at him ever since the word study partner was brought up.

'I think you deserve a short break…only a short break. And when you get back I have a little surprise for you.'

Everyone left the room buzzing with excitement. Most people took this opportunity as a bathroom break but Hermione dragged Ron into a vacant hallway, much to his dismay.

'Why are you acting so childishly?' She scolded him. 'I didn't do anything wrong. We're both sixteen, we're almost in our last year, and you're acting like a first year. So what is your problem?'

'You!' he said finally.

'What?' Hermione asked abashedly. 'Ron, I really…' Hermione paused. She was quite hurt at his remark. 'I really like you a lot. I thought it would actually work if we tried.'

'I never knew you could like anyone you're so into your work and stuff.' Ron was looking at his feet, quite embarrassed to be having this conversation, especially with Hermione.

'What about Krum? What was that then?'

'You trying to get back at me?' Hermione stood and stared at him looking at his feet.

'If you don't-' Hermione breathed in slowly. 'Don't like me then say so.' She stood across from Ron trying to steady her shaking hands while Ron looked over to the main hallway.

'I-don't-not-like you?' he said in a questioning tone, his cheeks turning a pinkish hue to match the one on Hermione's face.

'Then…what's your problem?' She asked adding a tone of harshness.

'I don't know…what about Harry?'

'What about Harry?'

'Wont it be a little weird if we're…dating…' he choked out.

Hermione's face distorted with anger and fear and then she said dryly, 'you care more about Harry then me? Okay fine.' She said and then headed back to the practice. 'C'mon, were going to be late.'

It just so happened that the box that Harry was so worried about was the surprise that Darling showed them. Inside it was a bunch of stage props.

'Now, I've noticed many eyes wondering over towards this box and many of those eyes belong in this play. So in here I have all the stage make-up and few props, but don't fret, more is on the way.' She finished and then said that they should continue with their practice.

'Of course…that's why she said she didn't want to be made a fool again. She probably put on this play before and did not have everything she needed.' Hermione whispered to Ron. Neither of them spoke of the hallway chat since they got back.

'How are we going to tell Harry?'

'Don't hold the door open for him.' Hermione said simply.

Lllllll

Hey everyone…I go for my operation soon…and my wisdom teeth are coming in…I'll probably post one more chapter and then that will probably be it for the rest of the month or at least close to. Sorry about this!

Yours truly,

Sweet Roses