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CHAPTER SEVEN: TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Weeks and weeks went by without much activity. The days all seemed to mold into one, with the routine of school beginning to become as much a part of the students, and as second nature, as breathing. Before anyone could stop to catch their breaths, it was Christmas Eve.
Though things resumed somewhat back to normal, to Hermione, there was a difference in her relationship with Ron. They were still friends of course, and to Harry and the rest of the world, it appeared as though nothing was out of the ordinary. But there was. She felt it every time Harry left her and Ron alone. There was that awkward and silent moment. She felt it every time they made contact, whether it was a comforting hug, or elbows bumping into each other at the dinner table. There was that electric tension.
And here was where her dilemma lay. Though she'd felt emotions when she was with Ron, she'd put them in the back of her head, not wanting to deal with them. But, for some reason, they kept insisting on coming out of storage. Try as she might, there was no point in fighting them, so instead, here she sat, in front of the common room fire, finally surrendering to the mercy of her mind.
True, Hermione could no longer deny, that throughout the years, her friendship with Ron had always felt different than her friendship with Harry and looking back, she realized that she probably had had a bit of a crush on him. But with the mayhem at the Ministry and everything afterwards, Hermione simply forgot about her petty schoolgirl crush, more concerned with her survival and that of her friends.
But what did she feel towards Ron now? She wondered. It had been so long, she'd almost forgotten what it felt like to have a crush. It meant that she thought the boy was cute, that she thought he was nice or funny, and when he complimented her or gave her a hug, it meant more than it normally would have.
Well, she thought, none of that has changed. But it's a bit more than just thinking he's nice… it's the little things. Like the way he always knows the right things to say, that lopsided grin of his that makes me go weak in the knees, the way his hair hangs in his eyes all the time, how sensitive he is, how he swears even though I tell him not to, how obsessed he is with Quidditch, how quick he is to come to my or Harry's defense, how fiercely loyal he is to us both, so loyal, that he'd die for us. He's brave, he's kind, no one else can make me smile like Ron can, he—
Suddenly Hermione stopped, her eyes widened, and her mouth opened up into a little "o" shape with surprise. She'd already come to the conclusion that she felt much more for the bloke, but she'd never just sat down and listed it out like this. There was only one step higher beyond a crush, and with this realization, Hermione cringed. Oh merlin! She cried internally I-I'm in love with Ron!
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Harry and Ron laughed merrily as they trudged through the corridors, with a long trail of snow beginning to melt with the warmth of Hogwarts, following behind them. In Ron's opinion there was nothing better to cheer anyone up, than a competitive snowball fight. And Harry needed a good cheering up today. Christmas was always hard for him; the ache in his heart for family was strongest on this day of the year. But as Ron stole a glance at his best friend, he smiled; Harry seemed much better.
Crawling through the portrait hole, he was surprised to see Hermione sitting there without a book in her hands. She simply sat on the couch staring at the fire, the embers throwing a golden glow on the girl, accenting her soft brown eyes and beautiful brown hair. A mug of what he assumed to be hot tea was in her hands, and she sat still, staring at the dancing flames as though they'd told her a surprising fact. She was so entranced, in fact, that she never acknowledged their entrance.
"Hermione?" He asked, watching with a bit of confusion as the girl tore her eyes away from the fire and jumped when she saw Harry and himself standing there
"Oh it's just you two" She breathed, "How was your snowball fight?"
"Brilliant!" Harry said cheerfully, cheeks pink with the cold
She smiled "I'm glad. But look at you two! You're covered in wet snow! You better go up and change."
"Aw…C'mon Hermione!" Harry pretended to whine, "Why bother changing? My clothes are in the bottom of my trunk!"
"Because" She said motherly "You'll catch a cold and get me wet sitting on the couch next to me"
"Get you wet you say?" Harry asked mischievously
"Don't you dare, Harry Potter!" She shrieked as Harry proceeded in gathering her up in a hug
Ron laughed, beaming at Harry. It seemed like years sine he'd acted like this; though Ron would never admit it; he really missed having this sort of Harry around.
Hermione screamed childishly as Harry picked her up and spun her around. Ron watched with awe as he suddenly was reminded of that night in the rain. He saw that innocent happiness that made his stomach flip. It was right here in front of him, where he didn't have to squint through a fogged up window to see it.
Harry must have put Hermione down at some point because the next thing Ron knew, Harry was marching upstairs to change, leaving Hermione only a few feet away from him. Hermione was still smiling and she looked up to Ron, "Harry certainly seems happy. What did you do? Hit him with a snowball in the head?"
He shrugged, his mind still thinking about the way she had just looked. "I'm just glad he's back"
"Me too" She said, heading back over to the couch.
"You know" Ron said, following her "As brilliant as Christmas is, I always feel real bad for Harry around this time of year."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked, sitting on the couch
"I don't know. It's just that Christmas is supposed to be all about being with the ones you love. Harry doesn't exactly have that." Ron said, sitting down next to her
"Sure he does. Harry has Lupin, and Dumbledore, and everyone else from the Order. He's got Neville and Ginny, and most importantly, he has you and me." She replied, sitting up from the couch the moment he sat down and walking over to the fire.
Ron stared at her back, confused. He was getting that sense that something wasn't right, and he bet all his chocolate frogs that it was something to do with Hermione. "Harry has us of course." He said "But he doesn't have family. True family. I'll bet you Harry has memories of Christmas's past that we can't even imagine. He once told me that he got a dirty pair of his uncle's socks as a present one-year! It just makes me realize how lucky I am." When Hermione didn't respond, Ron sighed and got up from the couch.
Hermione felt his eyes on her. It was rather like an additional sense to her; she'd been used to stares from the time she was old enough to read. She gritted her teeth in an effort to fight back the urge to turn around. She focused on the flames in front of her, not listening to too much of what Ron was saying to her. She felt guilty, but she had a much bigger problem on her hands now.
She was in love with Ron.
Out of all the facts Hermione Granger had ever known, this was the first she couldn't seem to wrap her mind around. And before she could even seem to acknowledge this realization, Ron had come bursting through the portrait hole, leaving her with no choice but to treat him in the friendly manner she'd used half her life and pretend like nothing had occurred.
It was too much. She needed time to think. She had to be sure. Love was much too powerful of a word to use lightly. She couldn't stand being in the same room as him right now, she had to leave, go to the library, her room…anywhere!
"Hermione?" A gentle voiced asked, making her cringe. "Are you okay?"
She turned around to face Ron. "Yes of course I'm fine. Why would you say something like that?" She said hoping her voice sounded normal, making her way over to the desk she'd been using, pretending to be looking for something.
"Because you keep running away from me," He said simply as he followed, a trace of hurt evident in his voice.
She froze where she was and spun around to squarely face him for the first time that evening. "I-I'm not running away"
"Yes you were. You just went from there to there to--"
"I wasn't running away from you" She said honestly, praying he'd believe her
Instead he gave her a confused look. Wrinkling up his nose a bit, tilting his head, and furrowing his eyebrows, he reminded Hermione of a kind of puppy she'd seen in a pet store once. "Then what were you running from?"
"I--" Hermione stammered, backing up as Ron was advancing towards her
"You can tell me anything you know"
"I know. I just--" This was not going where she had intended. Why was he making this all dramatic?
Ron stopped once Hermione reached the wall. "Just look at you 'Mione. You looking at me the way a baby animal would look at a hunter with a gun. I'm not going to hurt you. You should know that"
"I do, it's just that--"
"I'm your best friend. I want to help you." He said taking another step closer
What is he going on about? I just can't be near him right now that's all! Why is he turning this into a big deal? And would he just stop getting closer to me!
Hermione pressed her back further into the wall. "Ron please, I just need a few minutes by myself"
"What for?"
"I-I need to figure something out"
"Does it have something to do with me?"
Great, just bloody great! Now what am I supposed to say? He'll never leave me alone if I don't tell him something. Just think Hermione…
"Yes" She blurted out before she could catch herself
Yes? YES?? No! That was wrong answer! Now he's going to think he did something wrong!
"It does?" He asked softly
Hermione could do nothing but nod. His blue eyes widened, guilt obviously there but a certain kind of pain outlining them that made Hermione's heart break. "What did I do? I promise Hermione, whatever it is, I didn't mean to do it. I'm so sorry!"
"No Ron it's not like that it--"
He backed away from her "And to think I've been pressuring you to talk to me, when I was the one causing you all this pain to begin with." He muttered to himself
Great! Now you just hurt his feelings! You can't just leave him like this, even though those stairs do look tempting! Just make him believe it had nothing to do with him and then you can run for it!
"Ron--"
He looked at her with sad eyes, "I really am sorry Hermione."
"Ron you don't understand"
"Yes I do"
"No. You don't." She said softly, walking towards him. "It's not anything you did. It's me"
Wow Hermione, that's a really old line! Way to be original!
"I didn't do anything?" Ron asked
"No," she said smiling slightly "you didn't do anything wrong"
"Then how--"
"It's me Ron." Hermione said motioning to herself. "Not you" She said, placing a hand on the side of his face, despite her head screaming at her not to touch him.
"I never want to hurt you" Ron said sadly, his eyes finding hers.
"I know Ron."
"Promise me that you'll let me know if something I ever does upsets you?"
"I promise"
"You have to really mean it"
"I do"
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you why you kept running away from me earlier?"
"We're back on this subject again aren't we?" Hermione teased. Ron looked down. "It's really bothering you isn't it?" She asked curiously. He nodded.
"I never want you to be upset with me."
"Well Ron, I'm sorry to break it to you, but since we fight every week, I'm upset with you quite a lot"
"I'm not talking about that kind of fighting. I'm talking about us not talking for months like we did in third year."
"Oh. That was pretty terrible wasn't it?"
"Yeah. I hated it."
"You were the one who started it!"
"I never knew it'd turn out like that!"
"But it did"
"I know, that's why I never want that to happen again. So?"
"So what?"
"So can you tell me please?"
"Ron please…"
"Just say it," He said, taking a step closer
"I don't know exactly why" She sighed
"You have to have some idea"
"I just--"
"Yes?" He asked, taking a second step, their bodies now so close they could feel the hot breaths of the other on their faces.
"I-I was afraid," she whispered
"Of me?" Ron asked, getting a panic look in his eyes for the second time that night. It literally broke Hermione's heart to seem him like this. Not knowing what else to do, she grabbed his face and pulled him closer to her so that his face was level with hers.
"Not of you. Of me" She said slowly so that he could comprehend.
What are you doing? Get your hands off of him! Didn't you learn anything from the night in the rain??! You cannot be in this close proximity with Ron Weasley until you figure everything out!
There were a few moments of silence where the other took notice of the position they were in. Hermione's head swam and her knees felt weak. Ron's hand was on the wall above Hermione's head, his face in her hands, her back against the wall. Not knowing quite what to say, Ron lifted his hand to cover Hermione's, intertwining their fingers.
The waves of electricity that shot up Hermione's arm with the touch almost made her faint. She looked at Ron to see if he had noticed anything. She couldn't tell by his expression; it was the same one he'd worn that night in the rain, and the night in his dormitory but his look brought her towards him, overpowering all thoughts that were currently sending a big red sign through her mind.
As if on cue, Ron tilted forwards enough so that their noses were touching.
Oh God. Hermione, listen to me, Run!
Hermione's heart fluttered and she moved her hands from his face to his broad shoulders. His arms snaked around her waist and her eyes slowly closed.
But in the back of her mind a huge warning sign flashed brightly. This was wrong, she was vulnerable and Ron was her friend. Just her friend.
Ron dove in for the kiss and suddenly Hermione snapped her eyes open.
Ron's mind was lost, all he could think about was the way Hermione's lips would feel against his own. But as he closed his eyes and pushed his face forwards, he felt a small, smooth finger instead of those luscious lips of hers.
He opened his eyes immediately. Hermione was there, in his arms, looking at him with the saddest expression he'd ever seen. Tears were accumulating in her eyes already and suddenly Ron felt his heart drop into his stomach.
"I-I'm sorry" she choked
Ron blinked back tears of his own. She didn't feel the same way. She didn't love him like he'd always hoped. "I s-shouldn't have. I'm so sorry Hermione." He moaned. He felt like his heart had been ripped out of his chest and stomped on. How could he have been so thick?
"That was it," He heard her whisper to no one in particular.
"What?" he asked, his voice strained
"That was what I was afraid of"
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Hermione closed her eyes and pressed her back against her door as she shut it. She remained in that position for several moments, her mind racing through the chain of events that had just occurred in the common room and she cursed everything she could think of. Finally giving into exhaustion, she stalked over to her bed and fell into it, uncharacteristically like Hermione. She laid on her stomach, her face buried deep into a pillow.
Why had she stopped him? She loved him and he was the one asking for the kiss! Why hadn't she just sucked it up and puckered her lips?
Because it happened too fast. She answered for herself. You can't just go kissing a friend like that. Especially only ten minutes after I figured out that I'm in love with the bloke.
But you handled it wrong. She argued. You should have left before he managed to pin you to the wall. You should have excused yourself the moment they came through the portrait hole. Bloody hell you even could have looked away instead of egging him on like that. You were right to begin with! Now what does this make it? THREE bloody times you almost kissed him?? Things will never be the same after this.
Too tired to think anymore, Hermione shut down her mind and slipped under the covers, determined to take care of it in the morning. As for now, she'd slip into her dream world where she didn't mix things up, Voldemort was absent, and her pillows weren't drenched with tears.
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Hermione's eyes snapped open at the loud bang. Sitting up in bed, she listened carefully as she heard a series of thuds; each one coming closer and closer. Heart beating fast, she held her breath and fingered her wand under her pillow, waiting for some kind of intruder. She was ready. If a Death Eater of some kind opened her door, she'd wait until he slowly approached her bed and then…then she'd take him by surprise.
But the person who slammed her door open with an even louder sound than what she'd heard before, didn't wait to look around or walk slowly towards her.
Ron didn't miss a beat in running towards Hermione and grabbing her arm, yanking her up upon her feet.
"Ah!" Lavender Brown screamed, not yet recognizing the intruder. As predicted, all the other girls in the room slowly started waking up.
"Ron? What do you think--" Hermione began.
"It's Harry" Ron said quickly, his face pale and the arm that was currently holding a lantern shaking.
Hermione's heart momentarily stopped beating. "What's wrong?"
"Come on!" He said, ignoring her question, grabbing her hand, and running at an impressive speed out of her room.
"Ron!" She cried as she half-ran, half-flew, down the stairs. "Please tell me what's going on!"
"He had another nightmare," Ron shouted over his shoulder as they reached the bottom of the stairs and began running across the common room. "Voldemort invaded his mind again, gave him another sort of vision."
"What was it?" Hermione asked as she ascended the stairs that led to the boys dormitory.
But Hermione never got an answer to her question as she crossed the threshold of the room, where Neville, Seamus, and Dean were gathered around Harry's bed, looking frightened out of their minds.
Panic immediately seized hold of her and she approached the bed with caution.
Harry lay on his back, his face a deathly pale, his eyes focused on something above him, the rest of him looked as though immobile. Leaning over him, she put a hand to his forehead. He was hot, but it was obvious he was in some kind of cold sweat. She turned to the boys. "What happened?"
"We're not sure. He was screaming bloody murder; woke the whole lot of us up" Seamus spoke up, appearing nervous and nothing like the arrogant boy he sometimes was. "Ron knows better"
Hermione nodded her head, accepting the answer and turned her attention back to Harry. She took his cold hand in hers, squeezing it gently and stroked his hair. "Harry?" she called out. "Harry please look at me."
"We've been calling at him for a while now. He doesn't seem to be responding" Dean said
Hermione ignored him. "Harry! Harry! It's important that you look at me, to let me know you're okay."
Nothing.
"Harry Potter you will look at me and tell Ron and I what happened!"
"Hermione…"
"Harry…please" She whispered, biting her bottom lip to hold back tears. "See? Now I'm going to cry. I know you hate it when I cry but I can assure you that I will if you don't look at me this instant!"
"It's not working" Dean said sadly
"Have you sent for Dumbledore?" She whispered.
"No" Neville replied, "Ron wanted to get you first."
"Go get him please. Hurry!"
"I can't be out alone after curfew!" Neville said horrified "I'd get detentions for a month!"
Ron sighed, "Fine then, Dean you go with him"
"I can handle detention, but Filch is something else. He wouldn't believe a word I said." At this the boy gave a shudder
"Finnegan! You can lie like the devil! Please just go with them!"
"Fine but you owe me Weasley!"
"Just get your asses down there before you have Harry's death on your hands!"
With that comment, it took no less than 20 seconds for the three boys to hurry out the door. The door slammed shut and Hermione suddenly realized that she was alone with Ron again, though technically Harry was also present but Hermione didn't see fit to count him if he couldn't move. Her heart sped up a bit and she told herself repeatedly to act as though nothing had happened unless he confronted her. She focused her attention instead, on Harry.
It was simply astounding how dead Harry looked. The only clues he was alive were that his chest rose and fell and Hermione had found a pulse. The sight of him brought tears to her eyes. He had been doing so well, and now…depending on how horrible the vision was, he might never be the same again. She sighed and looked at Ron.
He was sitting on his own bed watching her and Harry. He looked exhausted.
And suddenly, that feeling of love she'd felt on the couch earlier, came again, but stronger. His dedication to Harry was so wonderful. He was self sacrificing and unselfish. He was strong and brave and a capable wizard. He was humorous and cute with a gift for making people smile. He was everything Hermione wanted.
"Thank you" she heard herself say.
He looked up, surprised that she had said anything. "For what?"
"For coming to get me," She whispered, "I would have hated to wake up not knowing what was going on"
"Sure thing." He responded, obviously uncomfortable with saying much more, the memory of the common room still fresh in both their minds.
Many minutes of silence followed until, "Hermione, look I--"
"Is he in here Mr. Longbottom?" A voice interrupted.
"Yes Sir" Neville's faint voice was heard.
Ron and Hermione looked at each other. "What were you going to say Ron?" she asked, heart beating fast.
"I—never mind. It wasn't that important" He said wearily, rising the moment the Headmaster entered the room.
"Hello Professor" He said respectfully
"Hello Mr. Weasley. Where is Mr. Potter?"
"Right here Sir. He hasn't moved since he woke up."
Dumbledore nodded, striding over to the bed to look at Harry. He waved a hand in front of his eyes and then turned around to face the students.
"Could someone please tell me what happened?" He asked calmly but with a sense of urgency.
"I heard him having a nightmare when I came up but didn't pay it much attention since he has them every night." Ron began "But we all woke up when he began screaming. He's never screamed quite like this Headmaster. I immediately ran to his bed and shook him awake. He was sweating and he looked absolutely petrified and just said my name real weakly."
"Did he mention having a vision?" Dumbledore asked
"Not exactly. He kept muttering Voldemort under his breath so I kind of put two and two together. But whatever it is, it must be bloody terrible because he hasn't moved since, not even when I got Hermione."
"And this is all true Miss Granger?"
"Every word Professor."
Albus sighed. "Well then, there's not much else to do except to get him to hospital wing quickly. Poppy! Would you mind?"
Everyone looked towards the woman who had been standing in the open doorway. As if on cue, she suddenly began fussing over everyone, putting Harry onto a magically transfigured stretcher that she floated in front of her out the door. Seamus, Dean, and Neville looked at each other; unsure whether or not they should follow.
"It's alright boys. You may go back to bed, I can assure you, Mr. Potter is in good hands." Dumbledore said as though he had read their thoughts.
"You sure?" Seamus asked, "There isn't anything else we could do?"
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Finnegan."
"Well then, suppose I'll see you two in the morning then." Seamus said to Ron and Hermione.
"Yes, Yes, see you in the morning." Ron said, busying himself. "Hey! Finnegan?"
"Yea?"
Ron smiled sadly. "Thanks for helping. All of you"
The three boys smiled sadly back at Ron, "It wasn't a big deal. Harry's our friend too."
"Still…thanks"
"Your welcome. Good night Ron, Hermione"
"Good-night" Hermione responded before turning to the Headmaster. "Professor Dumbledore sir?"
"Yes Miss Granger?"
"I was wondering…would Ron and I be able to stay with Harry?"
"Stay with Harry?"
"Yes, I know that he's out of it, but I think it'd help if we were there when he woke up."
"There aren't accommodations fit for you to spend the night, Miss Granger"
"I understand that. But I'd be willing to sleep in a chair if Ron is"
"Mr. Weasley?"
"Of course. Yea, that'll do."
"Very well then. I'll show you to the hospital wing."
"Thank you"
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It took a good hour to get Harry, Ron and Hermione situated. Madam Pomfrey had a fit when she found out that they were staying the night in chairs, but after much coaxing, they finally convinced her. After attending to Harry in the form of making him take many potions, she finally announced that he would revive in no less than an hour, at which time, it would be their job to try to get him to talk.
Until that time, it appeared to Hermione, that she and Ron would sleep. He hadn't said a word to her since they left the dormitory and as much as she hated it, she supposed at least this way, she didn't have to say anything back to him.
Her heart was really in the gutter. He didn't appear mad, but knowing Ron, he was immensely hurt (not that he would admit it). And then Harry. She was terrified of what he would say when he woke up. He'd been doing so good…she prayed that he wasn't the way he was sixth year…that had not been fun.
The minutes passed and try as she might, Hermione couldn't for the life of her fall asleep. Too much had happened in one night, she couldn't possibly sleep now. Sighing and shifting in her chair, she finally gave up and took out a book.
Not only did immersing herself in a novel clear her mind, but it also calmed her emotions, a drug she desperately needed right now. So she wasn't surprised when an hour passed (though it felt like only minutes) and Harry began to stir.
It began with some moaning; moans and cries that sent goosepimples up her arms. Then he tossed and turned in his bed, twisting up the covers. Full-blown shouts and tears ended the dramatic scene and by this time, not only had Hermione woken up Ron, but also she was holding Harry's hand, whispering soothing words to him as he eased out of his nightmare.
"Wha-Where am I?" Harry asked confused, looking around for his glasses.
"Here mate" Ron said, putting Harry's glasses on his face.
"Ron? Hermione? What are you doing here?"
"If you're in the hospital wing, where else do you think we'd be?" Ron said with good humor
"No you can't be here!" He shouted
"Why not Harry?" Hermione asked, somewhat hurt
"You can't…hurry! Please get out!"
"We've been waiting forever for you to wake up. I'm not going bloody anywhere"
"Ron…"Hermione scolded
"Please! Go hide! Do something! Don't just sit there staring at me!"
"Harry…" Hermione began "I don't know what you're thinking but we're not in any kind of danger. Just pleas--"
"But we will be" Harry whispered, looking out the window on the opposite wall, his eyes glazing over.
"What?" Ron asked
"Voldemort invaded my mind again" Harry choked
"We figured" Ron said uncomfortably running a hand through his long red hair.
"He's coming for us…" Harry continued in a Trelawney-like voice. "He's got more followers than we think. He wants us to know…wants us to try to put up a fight, he's that confident he'll win"
"That's very foolish of him" Hermione sniffed
"No it's not…" Harry argued, "You should have seen them Hermione. Hundreds…I-I've never seen so many Death Eaters."
"Harry it could have been a mind trick he was playing on you"
"NO IT WASN'T!" He shouted, making both Ron and Hermione jump back, casting weary glances at each other. "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! HE'S COMING! HE'S COMING SOON!! HE'S GOT HIS FOLLOWERS. WITH THEM, THEY'LL ATTACK THE SCHOOL. THEY'LL KILL EVERYONE. YOU TWO ARE THE PRIME TARGETS AFTER ME, YOU KNOW THAT??! THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT YOU, THEY--" With this, Harry began to cry against his will.
Hermione looked at her friend with a horrified expression. She'd never seen Harry cry. She'd seen his subconscious tears as he slept and she'd seen him angry and violent…but she'd never seen him shed actual tears. Not like this. Not these heart wrenching sobs that tore her apart. She stole a glance at Ron, who was staring at Harry with the same expression she was.
Ron watched as Hermione climbed into the small bed with Harry and enveloped him in a hug. Harry held onto Hermione, burying his head in her bushy hair, like the world was ending. And to Harry, that's probably what it was.
Suddenly, everything made sense now. Comprehending everything Harry had said, he understood the true meaning Harry's words. They were coming! Voldemort and his newfound alliances were planning to attack the school…. soon.
He had to do something! Sitting here crying, as terrible as it was, wasn't going to solve anything. He and Hermione needed to get the details from Harry, and then go tell Dumbledore! Dumbledore would know what to do! Opening his mouth to tell Hermione this new plan of his, he closed his mouth when he saw her.
She was curled up at Harry's side, stroking his hair in a soothing manner. And as he looked closer he could tell she was trying desperately hard for Harry's sake not to cry. A flash of jealousy, however minor it seemed, surged through Ron's body at the sight of them, but he cursed himself internally for it; reminding himself that this was not the time.
"Harry?" Ron asked in what he hoped seemed like a calm voice
Harry looked towards him.
"What did Voldemort say? Did he give you any details?"
Harry nodded his head, avoiding eye contact with Ron. "Just taunted me really. They got the Dementors and Giants on their side."
"I thought Hagrid was working with them?" Hermione asked in an innocent voice
"Guess it didn't work out" Harry replied miserably
"Anything else mate? He didn't tell you his plans did he?"
"'Course not. Just told me to be warned, that they were coming soon, and to" He swallowed "To watch out for you and Hermione. He really wants you two, you know? Thinks it'll be the key to breaking me down"
"We've always known that we'll be targets mate. We've always known that we've been in danger."
"No, it's different this time. He wants you to kill you Ron!"
"Harry" Hermione said, putting a hand on his arm, "Ron and I understand. Really. Ever since first year, we've understood that being friends with you includes risking our lives. It's almost gotten to be routine, I don't even think about it anymore"
"Well you should" He snapped "You don't seem to understand. He wants to torture you two to insanity. Make me watch it all. Hermione, they'd probably take you prisoner and use you as a shag toy. Ron, they'd kill you so fast you wouldn't know what hit you"
"Harry please don't talk like that," Hermione whispered, tears welling in her eyes
"This is what I'm talking about. Ever since fifth year we knew that the war was coming. I'm telling you it's coming soon, maybe within a few months. Hermione that could easily be our futures."
"No please stop. I don't want to hear it"
"You have to"
"No I don't!" She said forcefully, "If we win Harry, none of that will happen"
"It's a 50 chance 'Mione"
"But that's still half in our favor" She argued stubbornly
"I know, but you have to be prepared" Harry cried defensively
"I'll deal with it if the time comes. But I can assure you Mr. Potter, I will not be taken prisoner and be used, as you so plainly said it, as a shag toy."
Harry sighed. "I don't want to fight with you Hermione. I'm just telling you"
"I know more spells than three Death Eaters put together. They don't stand a chance if they try to rape me"
"Unless they have four Death Eaters" Ron said smirking. Hermione looked offended for a moment, before she caught Ron's smile, then she hit him over the head with one of Harry's pillows.
"Not funny Ron. This isn't the time to be making jokes"
"On the contrary, I think it is the perfect time. Bout time one of us smiles, things were getting too heavy"
Hermione fought back a smile of her own, "Yes well about that…Harry, we need to report this to Dumbledore."
"I know; he needs to tell the Order."
"What do you think he'll do?" Ron wondered
All went quiet for a moment or two as the three thought. "He'll probably recruit some students who want to fight."
"Strengthen the defense wards on the castle"
"Cancel trips to Hogsmeade"
"Cancel homework?" Ron asked hopefully. Hermione and Harry laughed.
"Wishful thinking Ron. Believe me, in these next few weeks, I think homework is going to be the least of our worries"
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(A/N: I realize that I keep switching where I put these author alerts but I think it depends on the chapter. Anyways, I know it's been a full week since I've last update but as you all can imagine, Christmas and Homework took over my last week before we went on break. It was just one of those weeks where everyone is up to here with papers and projects due. I calmed down three of my sobbing best friends this past week on the phone; these papers were so intense. But anyways, I'm going out of town on the 21st so this might be the last update before the New Year! Which is one of the reasons I made it 18 pages long. But who knows? I might have time to write, we'll see. Big thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter! This chapter was different and kind of jumpy to me, so I'd love to see what you guys think! I'm just trying to get to my next plot point! If I don't update before the holidays, Happy Christmas/Holidays and Happy New Year! Hugs, Haystack)
CrazyWomanLovesYou: So nice to hear from a new reviewer!! Thanks so much for reviewing!
Bhekie: I hope that was a good :( lol…thanks again for reviewing so faithfully! Hope this chapter was to your liking!
AmyChris: I'm so sorry about the update! I personally adore rain so I just had to add a little rain dance in there, I couldn't resist! Lol…yes, Ron is a sweetheart. If only there were many many more guys out there like him, this world would be so nice! Lol thank you for the encouraging feedback!
Smiles28: Yes yes, I know, ANOTHER almost kiss? I myself am getting annoyed with that so I assure that this is the last one until….never mind I won't spoil it ;) I really am tryin to speed things along to get to the good stuff. Does it go too fast? I kind of get that but oh well. I completely agree with you! I want a real-life Ron, I'm not picky, he doesn't have to have red hair and blue eyes…but I, like you, don't have anyone at the moment and I suppose it's just my view on boys right now cause being single is good. I adore the rain with passion so there's that bit of me in Hermione. Thank you sooooo much for your continually, faithful, encouraging, support and feedback! It's just the highlight of my week! Thanks again and Happy holidays!!