Ch. 5 :She loves me, She loves Me not

Disclaimer: Yes…unfortunately none of the characters are mine. They all belong to JK Rowling. I am just borrowing their names……….

The group had made it back to Hogwarts just in time for dinner. All of them were starving from their long shopping spree in Hogsmead. The five of them quickly settled themselves into the seats at the Gryffindor table as Dumbledor started the toast.

"As you all are quite aware already, the 7th Year Winter Ball is in a months time. The suitable dress robe requirements will be posted and all must be dressed in their best attire. " Dumbledor was smiling at the students from behind his half-moon spectacles. "Also," he continued." All 7th years will be taking their exams a week earlier than the rest of the school due to the graduation ceremonies." A rumble of frowns spread over the hall.

"Great!" whispered Ron to Harry. " And I thought the 7th year would be better. We should have the exams a week later."

Dumbledor continued to tell the new news for the following week, about the Quidditch games and reminders to the younger grades about certain school policies. Then with a twinkle and a smile he said, " Enjoy your dinner." With that, he raised his hands and sat. The shining plates magically became full of various deliciously smelling food.

"Mmm…excellent." Exclaimed Ron before he dug in.

Everyone ate ferociously. None had realized how really hungry they were until that had started eating. When their hunger was slightly quenched the boys once again came upon a discussion of Quidditch (Hermione rolled her eyes and frowned) about the coming weeks game against Slytherin. The girls discussed the strange occurances of the day.

"You know…it is really strange that we have never seen that store in Hogsmead before….Magic Spells that Noone sells." Hermione said in between spoons of pasta.

"yea." Said Ginny. " I don't think anyone has ever heard of that store before. I was talking to Lavender (Hermione made a face which Ginny didn't see) about that store today. She has never heard of that store either. Strange isn't it. I also didn't know that spells could be age restricted."

"Well, Violet said that the Ministry has certain regulations on that…weird though…..I have never heard anything about that."

Ginny raised her eyebrow, " Well, this is really serious then. Hermione, not knowing the specific details about something. Very serious indeed!"

"ha ha ha!" Hermione said sarcastically. She ate quietly for a bit.

"maybe Dumbledor would know something about that store?" Ginny questioned Hermione.

"We could always ask. He's been around for a really long time. If anyone knows then he would." Hermione said. " Well, it wouldn't hurt to try, right? We could ask him sometime tomorrow."

Ginny agreed and the girls made plans to meet tomorrow afternoon to question Dumbledor.

Ron was eating quietly while listening in on the conversation Harry was having with Ginny on Quidditch. Ron's mind was not with him (once again) and all through dinner he had frequently thumbed the small bottle in his pocket thoughtfully. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea he thought to himself. Maybe I should just bring the bottle back? He thought this over for a bit. Maybe he could just bring it back and receive a refund or just trade in the bottle for something else. Yes, thought Ron that's what he would do. It just didn't feel right to him to carry around a bottle like that. Hermione was his friend. Could he really do that to her? No he decided. He most certainly could not. His over bearing conscience would have the best of him. Tomorrow he decided he would go back. Alone. No one needed to know. He was of age. Then he remembered the rules about going to Hogsmead alone. Well, he thought he wouldn't be there long. He could just return the bottle and that would be the end of it. He smiled to himself and a weight lifted from his shoulders. Yes, this would be the right thing to do.

Dinner ended and the Gryfinndors walked back to their Tower. Harry challenged Ron to a game of Wizards chess. (Ron won) Hermione sat comfortably in a chair studying new spells and Ginny lounged on her stomach, feet in the air reading a fashion magazine. Harry had bought it for her at the local convenience store around the corner from Picket Dr.

"Some Muggles wear weird clothes." Ginny commented to no one in particular.

Harry looked up from his and Ron's game, " Yea…." He said absentmindedly..

"Checkmate: Ron blurted out. " Whoo—hoo! Three games in a row!" Harry frowned. It was known that Ron was very good at chess. Ron stood up and did a victory dance , Ginny laughed, and Hermione peeked over the top of her book and then grinned. Dork

"Who's the winner? It's…Ronald Weasly!" Ron projectd his voice like a sports news caster and then made a sound into his closed hand as if a crowd was roaring for him.

"Sit down Ron!" Harry yelled. "Come on….one more game!"

"Are you sure mate?" Ron smirked at his friend.

'Yes, I am positive." Harry replied as he set up the chess pieces.

"Ok…your loss……literally. " Ron sat back down with a grin. The game was on. This time even more intense.

About five hours later, after loosing five to one to Ron, Harry decided it was time for bed.

"Night, everyone!" he said with a yawn. "Good game mate." He shook Ron's hand and then left the room. Ginny followed suite receiving a raised eyebrow and a look from Hermione. Ginny mouthed, " No. I am really going to my room."

Hermione gave her a look that read, "yeah right!" Ginny grinned and left.

Ron saw this and said to Hermione. "What do you suppose they are up to?"

Hermione shrugged. She knew that Ginny would definitely not go to the boys dorm and she highly doubt that Harry would ever enter the girls dorm. In fact, she was more than certain he would never but it was fun seeing Ron all lost in comtemplation over the situation.

"Nothing most likely."

"Oh yea….how can you be so sure?"

"I just know."

"Girl intuition?"

"Yea…..something like that." Hermione said sticking her nose back in the book.

Ron watched her for a little and then said, "Hermione can you do nothing else but read?"

Hermione looked up, " Yes….I can but not right now."

"Why not?" Ron questioned her. He was sitting in the arm chair by the fire and Hermione was in the other chair.

Hermione didn't have a specific answer for that. She simply said, " Because."

"Oh…because….yes..that really settles it." Ron replied.

Hermione closed her back with a whack and then glared at Ron. 'Ok. Ron, what do you want?"

"Could we just sit and talk?" Ron was surprised that he was talking so steadily.

He was acutely aware that he was alone with her in the room.

Hermione sighed, " Ok what do you want to talk about?"
"Stuff."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Just …stuff." Ron said stupidly.

"Well, Ron, if that's what you want to talk about then talk…..stop wasting my time!" She reopened her book.

Ron ran a hand through his hair. Darn it….why couldn't he just talk normally with Hermione?

"Look….Hermione…I just want…" he started but was interrupted by Hermione

"What Ron? What do you want what? Me?" That startled Ron a bit and he sat his mouth open trying to think of what to say. Hermione snorted.

"ha….you thought I couldn't figure it out? The way you've been staring at me and everything. You know you have a funny way of showing someone you like them. Ignoring me and stuff." Hermione's voice was in a loud whisper.

Ron felt his ears burning.

"well, its not like you're the easiest person to talk to Hermione!" he then said. "Constantly, cutting me down. I am not stupid. You might think that. 'Oh…stupid Ronald Weasly…what should ever become of him.' Well, that's not me! "

Hermione was a little flustered but then replied, " Ron…I know you're not stupid!"

"Well, stop acting like little miss Know-it-all! You always have to correct something don't you? Well,….you can't correct me! I have flaws but that is just me!" Ron was surprised at his own boldness. The anger he had seemed to wear down any walls he had.

Hermione felt red in the face, " Oh….me..little miss-know-it-all! And who may I ask has helped you and Harry out in the past with my knowledge and books?" Hermione was fuming. How dare he! How many times had she helped him out with last minute homework and essay writing? "And who." Hermione added. " help you with your homework and essays?" her voice broke as she choked down her growin lump in her throat.

Ron didn't have anything to say to that. Yes, Hermione had helped him out many many times. What exactly had he ever done for her? His anger deflated.

"Hermione…….I know…..I'm sorry…thank you." He looked at her with pleading eyes and saw that tears were glistening at the corners of her eyes.

"No…" Hermione said. "Why can't you just admit it, Ron?"

Ron looked at her sadly. "I like you Hermione. I really do.."

Single tears rolled down Hermione's cheeks.

"Stop it Ron. You're just saying that now." Hermione got up, closing her book which was layng open on her thighs.

"Hermione,…wait!" Ron had leaped out of his chair and grabbed Hermione's arm.

"Get off!" Hermione pulled her arm away from Ron. "Please….you don't have to just say that."
"I'm not!" Ron ran a frustrated hand through his hair. " I like you Hermione….have liked you for a really long time."

Hermione looked up at him and gave him a sad smile, " well, too bad I have fallen out of love with you."

These words were like a punch in the gut. "Hermione?"

"Please Ron, let me pass." Her voice was cold.

Ron's thoughts were racing. What was he to do? Hermione had fallen out of love with him? So that meant that at one point she had loved him?

"Hermione……please…."

"Ron..please…move." She had finality in her voice. Ron felt shocked and numb at the same time. His feelings were rushing through him and he felt cold and hot all over. His head was hurting from all the thinking he had been doing in the last few minutes. Hermione had loved him? He had ruined it? He couldn't loose her. That would be the end of him. Sweet Hermione, gone from his life forever. He wouldn't and couldn't let that happen.

In one swift, motion he placed an arm around her middle and kissed her hard on the mouth. They were soft and warm but Hermione did not kiss him back. He let her go. Ron looked into her eyes but he did not know what he saw in them.

"Please…Ron….let me go." Hermione's voice was quivering.

Confused and frustrated Ron let her go. She walked by him without even a word of goodnight. Ron was left to himself in the Gryfinndor common room. Alone in the dark. Alone. The surrounding darkness entered his heart and he felt cold and numb. His Spring had left him.