Chapter 9: Revelations

Ron covered his mouth with his large hand as his lips spread in an enormous yawn. The Halloween Feast last night had been brilliant. All his favorite foods had been served, the hall was magnificently decorated with pumpkins the size of small cars and live bats that flew lazily about. Everyone had been in a jovial mood, including the school ghosts who put together a spectacular display or aerial formations for the students' entertainment. Everyone was so happy and the mood was so relaxed that even Ron was able to forget his troubles for a few hours and enjoy the evening. He even set aside his differences long enough to ask Rane how they celebrate Halloween back in Bulgaria.

Rane had immediately began explaining to the attentive group around her how in Bulgaria Halloween was very important to witches and wizards because it celebrated the essences of what they were and how every year they had a magnificent feast followed by a Ball that lasted well into the night. At this point a scowl had marred Ron's relaxed face with the thought that Hermione had no doubt had a date to the ball and was more then likely enjoying herself with the bloody git at that very moment. The only consolation he felt was the knowledge that this time the Ball had been Vicky free.

Ron scratched distractedly at his chin as he looked about the room for signs of Harry and Ginny. He spotted his sister sitting at the other end of the long table with her fellow fifth years. Sensing someone watching her Ginny turned and caught sight of Ron. She smiled warmly at him before turning back to Colin Creevy who was trying to gain her attention.

Ron continued his search of the hall but knew he wasn't going to find Harry there. He had had another nightmare last night. They didn't come often but when they did they plagued him with a vengeance. Which was why Ron had woke at three in the morning to the sound of Harry thrashing about madly in bed, calling Sirius's name in agony.

Knowing his friend would be embarrassed when he was shaken awake, Ron prodded him sharply in the back before diving back into his own bed, pulling the covers over his head a split second before Harry awoke, bolting upright in bed. Harry of course knew that it was Ron that had woken him, but was thankful none the less for his pretense at slumber.

Harry hadn't gotten much sleep after that. Ron had lain awake with him for several hours listening to the sound of Harry struggling not to cry. When Ron had fallen asleep around five in the morning he was well aware that Harry was still awake. Which is why this morning when he woke up and saw that his friend was sleeping soundly, he let him be and hade made his way down to breakfast alone.

Ron was just finishing off his third helping of eggs and kippers when there was a fluttering of wings high above. He looked up to see a stunningly clear sky with a small splattering of clouds and the first swoop of owls as they flew in through the high windows.

He waited hopefully for a full ten minutes until the last owl swooped in and out of the room, but as he had expected not one had flown to him. He knew he shouldn't let his hopes up, Hermione hadn't written to him yet, why would she start now? But he couldn't help hoping every morning that that would be the day that Hermione would relent and write to him. But alas it was not to be and he felt the all too familiar pain swell in his chest.

Ron swung his legs over the long bench and started to push himself up when a conversation a few seats over caught his attention.

"Are you sure she's talking about our Hermione?" Parvati asked incredulously as Ron sank back into his seat.

Rane rolled her large amber eyes at the other girl. "How many Hermione's do you think there are in Bulgaria?" She turned back to the large scroll that had arrived for her minutes ago.

"It's just that…"

"What?" Rane glanced up when Parvati didn't continue.

"Well," she said hesitantly. "I won't deny that Hermione is rather pretty. But honestly, how can anyone like Bjorn fancy her?" Ron's heart clenched in his chest. Bjorn? Who the hell was Bjorn? "She's so dry and bossy." Parvati continued, unaware the Ron was listening, his anger rising as she belittled his Hermione. "She thinks she's so smart." She brushed her hair off her shoulder in a manner that seemed very smug. "And it's horrible the way she strung Ron on like that. And you can be certain I'll be telling her that the first chance I have."

Rane's eyes scanned the parchment a moment longer before she rolled it up and tucked it into her pocket. "Well, despite your opinion of her my countrymen seem to find her very attractive." She took a bite of her breakfast sausage giving Parvati a chance to mull over her words as she chewed and swallowed. "Ester says that she and Bjorn were having a lovely time until Viktor arrived and…"

"Wait," Parvati held up a hand to stop her. "Viktor? As in Viktor Krum? She's still talking to him?"

"She was until last night." Ron's hands fisted in furry under the table. "Ester doesn't know many of the details but apparently Viktor said something that set her off and now she isn't talking to him."

"I don't believe it."

"Not only that. It seems by the end of the evening Viktor and Bjorn had at each other over her, right in the middle of the dance floor. They only got a few swings in before Hermione managed to separate them, but Zograf was not happy. Sent Viktor right home and Bjorn to his room for the rest of the night."

Parvati sighed dramatically as she let her head fall into her hands. "I wish I had two blokes fighting over me. Do you think Hermione will continue to see Bjorn after what happened?"

Ron couldn't stomach anymore. He pushed away from the table angrily, not wanting to hear the answer to that particular question, knocking the table and sending a few empty goblets tipping over. Head's whipped around at the commotion and Parvati and Rane gasped when they realized that Ron had obviously heard everything they had said.

"Ron!" Rane bound to her feet, calling after his rapidly retreating back. "Ron wait!"

But he hadn't heard her he was already through the massive double doors, stomping his way up the marble stairs to the floors above. He had just reached the second landing when he heard the pattering of feet behind him.

"Ron?" Ginny pulled him to a stop when she caught up with him. "Ron what happened?"

Blue eyes narrowed with realization when he saw the guilty look on Ginny's face. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Ron I…"

"You should have told me." He seethed through his teeth. "It would have been easier if I had heard it from a friend instead of over hearing Parvati and Rane gossiping."

"Ron…" her mouth gapped open, not knowing what to say. "I…"

"How long has she been seeing Bjorn?" Ginny's cheeks reddened as she tried to avoid his glossy blue eyes. "Ginny. How long?"

"It was their first date last night." She finally admitted closing her eyes against the agony she saw in her brother's eyes. "I swear. There's been nothing beyond that."

Ron's jaw quivered slightly. "And does she really fancy him?"

"Ron I don't think…"

"Gin," he stopped her. "Just answer the question. Does she really fancy him?"

The red haired girl pressed her lips together as she contemplated her brother's question. After several minutes that felt like a hundred to Ron she answered. "Yes and no."

"Yes and no?"

Ginny nodded. "Yes and no. If you ask me, Bjorn is a replacement for what she really wants."

"Which is?"

Ginny tilted her head to the side as she pinned her brother with a pitying look. "You know what it is, Ron. You just have to help her remember."

Ron turned away to stare absently at the wall. After several minutes of heavy silence, Ginny placed a tentative hand on his arm. "You're not upset with me are you?"

Ron sighed heavily as he turned his head to look at his baby sister. "No. I'm not mad at you. I'm not mad at all. I just wish…"

"I know." Ginny wrapped her arms around his massive shoulders and pulled him into a tight hug like she use to give him when they were younger.

Despite her annoyance at Bjorn for the events of the night of the Halloween Ball, Hermione spent every spare moment after that with him. They sat beside each other in every class they shared and Bjorn walked her to all classes they did not. They ate every meal together, excluding the nights of Quiditch practice. Bjorn was Keeper for one of the six school teams. Because there were no houses like at Hogwarts, teams were run by captains and new players were chosen by draft pick. A team's rank from the previous season determined their order at drafting during the tryouts. But the did manage to eat together most nights. And when they did Bjorn continued to fill her plate for her, and while it annoyed Hermione to no ends, she couldn't bring herself to tell him. He was just trying to be sweet after all.

When she worked on homework, which was a good portion of the time, Bjorn worked steadily alongside her, distracting her frequently by bumping different parts of his body against her. She found it sweet at first, but as November passed into December she found it more and more annoying. Semester finals were quickly approaching and she was determined to achieve top marks on all tests. She didn't know how that was going to be possible with him distracting her all the time, Harry and Ron had learned long ago to leave her alone when she got like this. She thought she was rather transparent in her wished, but Bjorn seemed oblivious. Hermione could not understand why he hadn't gathered that yet.

She would have told him off for it, but every time she got close he would do something incredibly lovable like fetching her a snack from the kitchens or quieting the group when they got too loud while studying or even staying up late with her while she studied, despite his insatiable need for sleep. She couldn't get mad at him and she couldn't yell at him because she knew he was only trying to help.

They were in their usual study room one week before the end of term, and Hermione was thoroughly distracted once again. She gnawed on the end of her quill as she watched Bjorn crouch over his roll of parchment. She was preoccupied and for once it wasn't entirely Bjorn's fault for he was studiously working away. No, what distracted her this evening were her own thoughts.

Hermione had made a decision the night of the ball after Viktor had voiced his disturbing assessment. She wasn't going to let Ron interfere with her life any longer. It was clear to her that the magnitude of her affection was one sided and as such she refused to waste anymore of her time on a lost cause. She would move on, and Bjorn was the perfect candidate to move on with. He was sweet and kind and nothing like Ronald Weasley. Her only problem now was Bjorn didn't seem to want to move their relationship any farther then it already was.

Hermione knew he was just trying to be considerate, not wanting to push her any farther then she was willing to go. But despite herself she was an old fashioned girl when it came to relationships. It was deeply ingrained in her, no doubt by her grandmother who was extremely traditional, that the boy should make the first move. So now she found herself in the predicament of waiting for Born to get up enough gumption to go ahead and kiss her.

Sighing with exasperation Hermione looked away from her… could she call him her boyfriend? They had only ever been on one date. Her eyes flickered over the last notes she had taken and found them completely incomprehensible. She scratched the line out before glancing down at her watch. Her eyes bulged and grew to the size of saucers. It was nearly midnight. She slammed her book closed abruptly, causing her friends scattered around the room to look at her in surprise.

"Sorry." She apologized as she stuffed books and parchment into her sack. "I didn't realize how late it was."

"I'll walk you to your room." Bjorn offered but before he had fully risen from his chair Hermione had already dashed out of the room.

Racing through the empty, candle lit corridors she glanced down at her watch again. She had exactly five minutes until she was suppose to talk with Harry and Ginny.

When she reached her room she flung her bag aside and ran to her desk where she kept her mirror hidden. She pulled open the third drawer, moved aside some parchment and saw that the mirror was already glowing a bright blue. She sat down in her chair and propped the mirror against two large tomes before tapping her wand against it. Instantly Harry and Ginny's faces appeared in the smooth glass.

"Harry. Ginny." She greeted. "How are you?"

"Fine, fine." Ginny waved aside Hermione's expected question, moving on to more important matters. "What's it to be then? Are you coming home or not?"

"I just received word back from my parents this morning. They definitely want me to come home to celebrate Christmas." Harry and Ginny's mouths spread into grins of delight. "So now the question is how are we going to get the two of you out of Grimmauld place without Ron noticing?"

"What?" Harry nearly shouted, his fingers tightening angrily on the glass. "Hermione you can't seriously think…"

"Don't say one word more." She interrupted, her own anger simmering just behind her eyes. "Did you honestly believe I would agree to see him?"

"Hermione," Ginny stared down at her friend wearing a mask of disbelief. "It's Christmas."

"Exactly! It's Christmas and I don't won't to ruin the holidays for everyone by getting into another horrific row with Ronald. It'll be much easier if I just don't see him."

"Hermione!" Harry shouted, loosing all patience, surprising the two girls as much as himself. "This has gone on long enough. Do you have any idea what this is doing to everyone? Ron hasn't been himself for months. He mopes around, hardly says a word to anyone and barely notices the harem of girls that follow him around wherever he goes because he's to busy thinking about you and how badly he screwed up. And think of what this is doing to me and Ginny. Do you know how it feels to lie to your best friend everyday? To see him sad and hurt and not be able to do anything? I hate it Hermione. I hate this. Ron's trying why aren't you?"

Hermione stared back at them through the pane of glass, her chocolate brown eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Maybe when you've had your heart ripped out of your chest and trampled on you'll understand." Her bottom lip trembled as she tried to maintain some semblance of control. "It hurt, Harry. It was excruciatingly painful. And this is the only way I now how to deal with it. I'm not ready to see him. And I'm not ready to talk to him. Please don't try and make me."

Harry felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. He hadn't meant to make Hermione cry. He just…

"I just want things back the way they were." He said voicing his thoughts.

"Harry. Ginny. I so desperately want to see you both." She shook her head. "But I can't face him. Not yet."

"Hermione," Ginny scooted closer, taking a more predominant position so that her friend could see her. "Please come to Grimmauld Place for Christmas." She pleaded. "It won't be the same without you?"

Hermione bit down hard on her bottom lip, the turmoil of her thoughts painting a vivid picture on her face. "Can you promise me I won't ever have to be alone with him?"

"No, Hermione." Ginny moaned with exasperation. "I can't promise that. I have no idea what's going to happen or what Ron might do when he sees you."

"Then do you think you can find a way to get him out of the house for a few hours so that I can stop by and give you both your gifts?"

"On Christmas?"

"Of course not." Her voice held an edge of annoyance. "I wouldn't dream of separating your family on Christmas. I was thinking some other day. Ron will never notice"

"I don't know. Do you think he's really thick enough to fall for that?"

Hermione screeched and fumbled for her wand, taping it sharply against the mirror so that it went blank. Harry and Ginny flung around to find Ron leaning against the wall of the boy's staircase, arms crossed in a daunting, menacing pose, his eyes narrowed, gleaming a turbulent shade of blue.