All right. Time is going to literally fly by in the next four chapters… there will be chunks missing…well, not missing per-say but it will jump a lot. Anyway, please review.
Chapter 15
Fall to PiecesI don't want to fall to pieces
I just wanna sit and stare at you
I don't wanna talk about it
And I don't want a conversation
I just wanna cry in front of you
I don't wanna talk about it
'cause I'm in love with you
Llllllll
Just as Hermione had imagined, Ron was being a pretentious bonehead about what she had said out of worry, not malice.
However, the more she thought about the more she decided to for about it and that maybe he'd come around…just maybe.
Breakfast was shorter then usual. Hermione and Ron had a meeting in Darling's room with the rest of the cast just before their double Defense against the Dark Arts. Hermione knew there would be times when Ron still acted childish but she never thought that she would actually question her logic on actually fating him.
He was angry at her, old news and she knew that, but there was no reason for him to ignore him like he was doing. Hermione rarely ignored him if he made her angry, especially since they have been going out.
In a few days from now is the second Quidditch match that Ron and Hermione were going to attend together. Hermione thought whether or not she would attend. She deduced that it all depended on Ron's behavior. She tried hard to stay on his good side she only wished that he did the same. Lately everytime she was around him he would always bring up something she did or said.
'Our Dress rehearsal will be held in exactly one month.' Darling announced excitedly, causing a ripple of amusement. Ron and Hermione looked solemnly at each other and played close attention to what she had to say.
'The first production will be held on June third, approximately in four months, that's before your exams and other such nonsense.' The class laughed and Hermione rolled her eyes and Ron clearly heard her mock Darling.
'Such nonsense…you're nonsense.'
'This means that you' she pointed to Seamus 'and especially you' pointing to her long bony finger directly at Hermione and letting it linger for a moment before snapping her arm back to her body and looking happy once more. 'Will have to work extra hard to make it until show night.'
'Well, then, those of you who do not have my class, off you go.' Hermione and Ron looked towards the door waiting for Harry to enter and when he did Hermione and Ron let him sit between them where he sat down uneasily.
'I'm starting to think that she wanted me as the lead for more then my talent.' Hermione told Harry and Ron scoffed as if fighting back the urge to say something nasty.
Hermione quickly brushed it off as a cough and continued to listen to the lesson. 'Harry do you think she needs me as a distraction or something. Maybe she's planning to so something to me to lure you or Ron in and then she'll…'
'Hermione Granger.' Darling said bemused. 'I never thought I'd have to ask you to leave me class. Not my top student. Hermione flushed.
'Sorry Professor.' She said, lowering her head.
'Sorry a second too late, out.' She pointed towards the exit.
Hermione looked flabbergasted. All eyes were on her. Quite embarrassed, Hermione gathered her things and hurried quickly out of the room, not looking at anyone as she passed.
She was angry and insulted. She never got kicked out of class, or detention…well, but never kicked out!
Hermione's cheeks were red with shame as she let herself sit on the floor just outside the classroom. She decided to listen to the lesson though the crack in the door since it didn't close all the way.
She shifted uncomfortably on the floor when she noticed something wedged in the corner of the door under the hinges. She looked to see if anyone was coming but the way was clear.
Stretching over her open piece of parchment she grasped the item in question and pulled it back towards her. It was a piece of material, apparently ripped by the door, hence why it was stuck in there.
Hermione examined it closely. It wasn't a school uniform. It was black, but it was rimed with magnificent sparkling red. It was familiar and Hermione knew why. That man that she and Ron saw going up the castle was wearing it.
She heard Darling pacing up and down and around the desks. Hermione tucked the cloths beside her out of view. When she heard Darling walk away and when her heard finally slowed down she looked down at her hand.
Her hand was almost completely gone. She squeaked and pulled her hand away. Felling stupid Hermione grabbed the corner of cloth and realized that it was just like the invisibility cloak that Harry owned.
Llllllll'Here, look at this.' Hermione slammed her hand flat on the table in front of Harry and Ron, reviling the corner of the invisibility cloak.
'I'll be she stole it off that man and that's why it got caught in the door.'
'Why?' Ron asked.
Hermione gave a frustrated sigh.
'We'll you didn't exactly make it clear!' Ron said in his defense.
'She must have killed him or something. Shoved him out and grabbed his cloak…shut the door quickly…and there.'
'So' he said unenthusiastically.
Hermione gave him a disappointed look and then carried on. 'So… it could mean something. Like why she needs the invisibility cloak and what happened to the guy…and why it got stuck in the door. Surly anyone who gets a robe stuck in the door would realize and not rip it out.' Hermione said, making it up as she went.
'Maybe she killed him.' Harry said quickly.
'He did seem quite afraid of her.' Ron added.
'But does that explain why his cloak got stuck?' Hermione asked.
'He's a big man Hermione. She probably had to cover him for a minute while someone, Filch, or who ever passed by. Maybe she didn't know it was stuck in the door.' Harry explained.
'She knows now I suppose. She must have an accomplice. She can't get a body out of there, invisibility cloak or not.' Hermione looked bright-eyed once more.
'No, I think someone would have noticed something by now.' Harry slumped back into the chair but Hermione stayed rigid, staring eagerly at the material. She shook her head. 'She didn't kill him, there's no way.'
'What ever you say.' Ron mumbled without really listening and then shot up yelling, 'Why would you say that' He then sunk back into his chair to avoid the stares.
'Because Ronald,' she drawled. 'There has to be a better explanation then death. Like why she wanted his cloak, or why she just didn't ask for it. Harry saw him, you saw him too he's a scared little man. I doubt he would deny anything she asked.'
'Then it must have just gotten stuck. He looked scared of her, I doubt he'd care if he got his robe stuck or not. I wouldn't thinks he's want to go back and open the door to disturb her, she probably would have killed him.' Harry was now holding the cloth, folding it back and forth in his hands looking deeply at it.
'See, that seems more plausible, I guess. But that brings us back the first questions…why leave so quickly.'
Both shrugged. Harry was keen like Hermione but Ron was staring uninterested out the window.
Snow was still thick on the ground. Quidditch would be difficult if it didn't start to clear up soon. But it was February, and February meant winter, winter meant snow and snow meant difficult. It was something that he had to deal.
Even though they were talking about something important, Harry wasted no time in popping the question.
'You guys are still coming to my big game right?' Harry asked timidly. Both nodded eagerly.
'Of, course Harry. Even if we have practice right Ron.' Hermione smiled.
'Right.' He agreed still showing signs of being upset at Hermione. Once again she shrugged it off but he was slowly getting to her.
'I'll be right back.' Harry said and carried his Defense Against the Dark Arts books off to his dorm leaning Ron and Hermione to be alone.
'I shouldn't have to apologize Ron, but I am. For whatever I did, I'm sorry. Whatever you thought I meant I didn't.'
'Hermione, I don't want to hear it.' Ron sounded unsure of what he said, but it was all he said..
Eyes stinging with hurt and anger Hermione raised herself from her seat. 'Fine.' She said quietly thought a cracked voice and leaving the room as Harry came back with his potions book, looking befuddled.
Llllllll
'Hermione' said a surprised voice as she exited the portrait hole. It was Seamus who appeared to be going in. It was the second last person she wanted to see.
'I thought you hated me.' She said bitterly. 'Oh wait was the before or after you starting dating Lavender?' She spat before walking away.
'I'm sorry about what she did.' He said running up to her. 'She is too.' Hermione let out a laugh.
'I'm not sorry about what I did. She deserved it.'
'She asked me to tell the truth. I didn't just bring it out of nowhere.' He tried to explain but Hermione was past listening.
'I'm sorry.' Seamus tried again.
Hermione stopped. Waited and then said, 'Apology accepted ok! Is that what you wanted? Now keep your basket case, annoyingly possessive girlfriend away from me or so help me…' Hermione continued to walk until she reached the library Seamus still on her heals.
Hermione pointed in the direction of Gryffindor tower. 'I think she's calling. Leave me alone. I have enough shit to deal with without bugging me!' she said venomously, finally making Seamus sulk away. Ron had put her in a very sour mood and she was going to take it out on anyone that bugged her and that was that.
Llllllll
February the first approached quickly. Excitement about Quidditch broke out all around the school In the Gryffindor common room there was face painting and little flags were being given out with Gryffindor symbols on them..
'Anti-Slytherian Flags' a fourth year was shouting as people were leaving the common room. Many people were grabbing them. Hermione did too. She wanted to have a an extremely good time (or appear to) to make Ron angry that he wasn't bringing her down (that he could see). She also got her cheek painted to have a Gryffindor lion on it.
Ron seemed excited about the match since they rarely got to attend one because they were so busy with the play. It was after the suspicions against Darling that Hermione thought there was something specific about having the Quidditch games on the same day as the practices.
It stuck Hermione as odd that this Quidditch match was left open. Why now? Why this specific match? Hermione told herself to be on the watch for darling and Ron couldn't care a less.
The cool morning air whipped at their faces. With rosy cheeks and smiling faces most of the school made their way to the frozen grounds to the Quidditch pitch. Hermione and Ron made their way up the Gryffindor tower quietly and found a place near the front together.
Hermione and Ron were still on slightly bad terms, which were starting to make Hermione angry and quite anxious. As the wind picked up and started to flick at the flags, the two teams, Gryffindor and Slytherian, made their way out of the dressing rooms.
Pre-game ritual was said, along with the shaking of the hands of the captains and then all the balls were released high in the air followed by the quaffle, which was thrown up.
The once happy chatter now erupted into cheers and chants, boos and hisses. Gryffindor hadn't scored ten minutes into the game. In fact within the first 30 minutes, they hadn't scored at all and were losing 60 – 0.
Hermione and Ron could see the disappointment on Harry's face. It wasn't only because no one was getting any points or because he still had no sight of the snitch but because he had lost his seeker 15 minutes into the game to a bludger to the chest.
Harry was playing his role as the captain to the fullest. Shouting words of criticism to anyone who passed by and finally close to an hour into the game, the score was a 40 – 70 Slytherian. Harry looked around eagerly for the snitch, but he wasn't able to spot it.
The Gryffindors' were cheering so loudly that the boo's from the Slytheran's couldn't barely be heard. The points continued to rise and by an hour and 20 minutes, they were ahead by 25 points with a score of 95 – 70. It was a good, but Harry still didn't catch sight of the snitch, yet neither did the other teams seeker.
The snitch still wasn't sighted and if he didn't find it yet, it wouldn't matter. Harry had just lost one of his beaters, who was pushed off her broom by a Slytherian chaser and was now unable to play; two people were now missing from his team.
He cursed, they were only 15 points ahead of Slytherian and if he didn't see- just then he spotted a golden flash, just as Slytherian team got ten more points.
Harry sped up into the sky as the other seeker realized his sudden disappearance and followed him instinctively. He reached out ahead of him and felt the snitch flit away before he could have a firm grasp on it.
The cold wind shot around his face making his cheeks ache. The persistent Slytherian was right at his heels, trying his hardest to get ahead of him. Both swooped down towards the grounds as the snitch decided to turn in the opposite direction.
The crowed started to grow more anticipated as Harry and the snitch reappeared and headed towards the ground. The score now sat at 105, Gryffindor and 120, Slytherian.
Harry's hand outstretched hand wasn't enough. He slid up to the front of his broom to get even a little bit closer. It had almost two hours into the game when Harry Potter caught the golden snitch.
The crowed cheered widely. Little flags were being thrown into the air and the Gryffindor team was being congratulated from anyone they passed. Hermione absentmindedly jumped excitedly, forgetting all her problems and then happily wrapped her arms around Ron's neck, who was taken aback.
Hermione realized what she had done and how uncomfortable Ron looked. She dropped her little flag and hurried away leaving Ron standing alone. She made her way back up the Gryffindor common room to await the coming Gryffindor team.
Llllllll
3am arrived on the clock, welcoming anyone who would listen. The warm fire was now slowly dying, as was the wind outside. The common room was laden with burgundy and golden-yellow flags, napkins and streamers.
The excitement finally stopped and everyone was in bed awaiting breakfast at eight and class at nine.
Ron, however, couldn't stop thinking about Hermione. Everytime he though of fixing it between them he made it only that much worse. He sighed quietly into his hands, but held his breath as a door squeaked open.
He looked out of the corner of his eye and saw Hermione in her green sheep pajamas and brown locks in pigtails.
She walked silently down to the common room and stood being the couch Ron was moping on. Neither of them would say anything as if the silence was too golden to break
Ron felt the couch shift slightly as Hermione crawled over the side of the couch and sat patiently beside him. After a few seconds, Hermione shifted over to the slightly rigid Ron who was leaning against the arms of the couch and once again, she paused. Not speaking, not looking just sitting, looking into the fire.
Ron suddenly felt Hermione grasp his wrist. She lifted it off of his lap and guided it over her head and around her shoulder. She then laid her head on his shoulder, her legs curled in a ball beside her on the sofa. She wrapped her loose arm around his waist and closed her eyes.
Ron looked at the girl in his arms and his heart fluttered. He placed his other arm on her shoulder too, then bent down and placed a light kiss on her forehead, making her smile faintly.
Both sat in the dying firelight causing dancing silhouettes, simply enjoying the silence.
LlllllllOkay…please review the chapter…urh! Sorry about LAME Quidditch match Mwa ha! Thanks for reading
Yours Truly,
Sweet Roses
P.s. that wasn't the end…