Chapter 16: Mione, All Mione

Beta and co-author Lukanicus

She walked out beside Ron and was relieved that Harry was safe but with the knowledge that she had a mystery of a different sort to unravel. Hermione looked at Ron out of the corner of her eye as butterflies swarmed in her stomach. What was this? Why was she suddenly feeling like this and why only around Ron? She had enjoyed similar feelings when she was with Victor Krum but surprisingly for her never around Ron until now.

Due to the coming war against Voldemort and the army of dark, it was common knowledge in Harry's inner echelon that he was the key to Dumbledore's victory.
It was also expected that Harry would have covert training at a minutes notice. But he had never ever left them in the dark, not without, as much as a bye or leave.

Hermione also prided herself on her ability to get to know everything. She liked it that way. Some called it busy body like Snape. She preferred to describe it as having a healthy interest in the affairs of those around her.

She could not see where Draco came into all this. How was he with Harry? Why did Harry allow himself to be ensconced with him? He must be on a mission, yes, that must be it, and he is on a mission. 'Oh very good Harry,' she thought, 'get in amongst them, hit them from the inside.'

Talking to herself not really requiring an answer or seeking a dialogue she said, "Why Draco, why on earth would Harry want to go somewhere with Draco? It doesn't make sense, none of it does."

Nervously she looked straight ahead when she caught Ron looking at her.
Their fingers accidentally brushed once and this caused her instantly to blush.
Ron allowed her to go first into the transfiguration classroom. He sat down beside her, trying all the time just to act laid back and calm.

Hermione's thoughts were all over the place. Knowing she would not be able to pay attention, she quickly cast a spell on her quill to take notes for her. She lightly held it as it sped across the parchment. She had used this spell to great effect in the past and always made sure that she looked on the outside to be doing her own work. Ron had seen this before and just gave his normal 'oh that again' shrug. She was grateful to the quill for the much-needed notes.

The bushy haired girl let her mind wonder to Harry (whenever Hermione thought about herself in the third person she always saw herself as the bushy haired girl).
She loved him. Of course she did. How could she not? He was modest, brave, courageous and oblivious to how gorgeous he really was. He was also shy and insecure, which as all will agree, are intoxicatingly sexy traits for a guy to have. He made her feel safe yet at the same time, she felt like she needed to take care of him and protect him from the world, just like a sister.

She thought briefly of Rita Skeeter and growled. Hermione had literally wanted her dead for what she had done to Harry in the past. Ron shot her a look.
In his mind the little ginger Ron was again saying, "She's thinking about him AGAIN" Harry always seemed to fall into trouble and stumble into danger. Let her mind wonder to Harry. Ron and her, faithfully, following behind him.

It had become clear to her that Ron was jealous of Harry. Yet Hermione could not figure out why. Ron had everything Harry wanted; a family who loves him and a normal life. Harry hated being a celebrity. No matter what he did, the raven haired, green-eyed boy could not escape the spotlight. One moment the public loved him, and then hated him. He was constantly being stared at and whispered about. Why would Ron want all of that? Ron's jealousy had almost ended their friendship back in fourth year. Why couldn't Ron understand that Harry was born to be a hero? He was a reluctant one at that.

Ron, he was just as brave and courageous. Ron was loyal, stubborn and hotheaded. He had the most beautiful puppy dog blue eyes and the cutest freckles on his nose, and he had a really nice bum. Hermione actually had a Colin Creevey original of Ron when he had let his towel slip in the shower as he had still too much soap in his eyes. Colin was there trying to get a picture of Harry for the HPFC, instead got a semi wooded Ron with lots of soap in his eyes. Hermione actually had to borrow some galleons from Harry so she could buy it from him and then put a forgetful charm on him with regards to it. Hermione quite often imagined what the rest of Ron would be like in a suitable scenario but she quickly grasped her thoughts back. Looking at Ron who had the stereo typical look that he had shown hundreds of times before, this one was look number three, 'I'm so jealous of him.'

"Miss Granger?" Hermione looked up at her name being called.

"Yes professor?" Hermione answered.

"I asked you to explain the mechanism behind the animagus transformation," Professor McGonagall replied with a frown.

"Sorry professor. I was adding to my notes," she carefully lied. With a nod from the strict professor, she quickly explained how the animagus spell worked. Class ended and they quickly left for lunch. Ron grabbed her arm. They stopped and watched the rest of the students filter past.

"Want to grab something from the kitchen?" Ron asked. "We can find an empty classroom to talk."

"Sure," she answered.

The house elves were only too happy to help. Hermione noticed Dobby kept looking at them. She realized the elf knew Harry was gone. Otherwise, he would be asking them about Harry. She tried to smile at the elf but Dobby would not meet her eyes. Ron carrying a basket of food led her from the kitchen to some unused classroom. They spread their meal on the desktops.

"So where do you think they've got them hidden?" Ron wondered. "Do you think they're at…?" Ron started to question only to realize he could not say the name.

"Secrecy charm," Hermione informed him. "No I doubt the headmaster would allow Malfoy there."

"So where are they?" Ron demanded.

"Probably still here in the castle. We should check the map," she suggested.

"What I want to know is why Harry is with that Junior Death Eater?"

Ron rolled his eyes at her. "Harry knows what he's doing. Leave Malfoy alone, Harry would have gone willingly I'm sure. Stop worrying about who he is with, and let's start worrying about where he is."

"Why are you so calm about them being together? Do you know something Ron?"

"Why are you so upset?" Ron snapped.

"Because he's our best friend!" she returned.

"Or is it because you wish you were hidden away with him?" Hermione blushed.

"I just want to know he's safe," she heatedly replied. "Don't you?"

"The professor said he's safe."

"But we don't know that!"

"He is with Malfoy. He will be safe, trust me."

"Trust you! What's gone wrong with you? You hate Malfoy."

"So, it's not what I think about him that will matter, Harry lov…" Ron tailed off this conversation and tried to act as if he had not said anything.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? You do know something"

"Give it a rest Hermione. There are other things besides Harry Potter to worry about," Ron scolded.

Ron realizing that he had said too much already. Well he realized he knew Harry was gay. He realized he knew Draco was, the rest was patchy, but he knew he had to say no more. Offense he decided was the best defense.

"How can you say that? Harry could be in danger."

"Does everything always have to be about him?" Ron exploded. "What about me? What about you? We're his best mates. If who ever he is hiding from can't find him and then decides to turn there direction to his friends, we should be worried about our safety. Who do you think they're going to go after if they can't get a hold of Harry?"

"We're safe Ron. Professor Dumbledore will protect us and Hogwarts is the safest place for us."

"Not safe enough for Harry though was it"

Ron looked as if all this was starting to get to him with his head was hanging low. "We always have to protect him," Ron muttered.

"Ronald Weasley! I can't believe you said that!" Hermione admonished. "He's your best friend."

"Some best friend! Didn't bother to tell us goodbye and left us to fend for ourselves."

"I'm sure he wasn't given a chance."

Ron had done it. He had successfully taken the conversation away from Draco's involvement, with skill he thought. He was going to have to concentrate on what he said to make sure he kept Hermione wrong footed. He knew that Harry would tell Hermione and him eventually that he was a poof. He just did not want to be the one to do the outing for him.

Enjoying having Hermione's undivided attention he went on, "There you go! You are always defending him. I'm always wrong and Harry is always perfect!" Ron snapped.

Hermione reached out to touch his arm to give comfort. Ron about to flinch away from her decided against it and allowed her hand to rest delicately on his arm.
Ron's eyes pierced into Hermione's soul. He was at one with her finally, it was not all smooches at dawn, far from it but it was a start.

"That's not true Ron. Harry isn't perfect. He's stubborn and rash. He jumps into things without thinking them through…"

"You still prefer him to m…..." Ron tried to complain, but was over taken by the wondrous sensation of Hermione's lips against his. Kissing him passionately, but stopping to laugh, Hermione was rolling around the floor laughing.

"Oh Ron I do love you so, have you never kissed a girl before, you don't need to look so fearful"

"I wasn't, I was just winded. Yes, that's it, winded, you caught me by surprise. I've been told that I am a very good kisser actually."

"Really"

"Really" Ron moved right up close to Hermione and spoke the next really with his mouth touching hers, "And what's more, I have a nice bum as well."

Laughing together, they embraced for the first time and then quickly got up and chased each other around the room till laughing and exhausted, they looked into each other's eyes.

"Do you really want to do this, we can wait if you want, I will understand"

"You may but right now Ron, I want more than anything to be here with you. I have an idea of what's going on with Harry..."

Ron interrupted, "You always have an idea on everything. But for now, I'm just going to give you one thing to think about."

Kissing him passionately, she giggled her next line at him, "Is it a big worry?"

Ron pulled Hermione close to his waist.

"Oh Ron" Hermione wickedly giggled.

"You'll see, you'll see"