Disclaimer: I own nothing of Harry Potter

Phantom Lover

Chapter 3

It had been real. Everything. It didn't just feel real, it was. I had to know who it was. Who could spark something in me like that? I've never felt that way about anyone, not even Ron...

"Hermione! He's got it! Harry's got the snitch!" Seamus yelled in my ear, while jumping up and down.

I escaped from my own little world, and looked at the pitch, Harry making a round around it, holding the tiny golden ball. I couldn't help but grin.

"Yes!" I screamed with her, pumping my fist in the air. "We showed the stupid pricks who's castle they're really in!"

I heard a scatter of laughter around me. I ran down the pitch, Ron meeting me there. I looked round for Harry, but he had captured Ginny in a sweeping kiss. I smiled.

"You did brilliant Ron!" I said, hugging him tightly.

"Ah, thanks Hermione. I was just lucky," he said, hugging me back.

I pulled out of the hug. "Honestly, Ron, I don't think it was just luck! It hasn't been for awhile. You're actually a better player."

He smiled, blushing.

I grinned at him. I couldn't help but notice how cute he looked when he smiled in that lopsided way of his.

"Hey Hermione! We did it, we beat them! We owned them!" Harry said, grinning broadly, Ginny coming up beside him.

I grinned back at him, nodding. "Yes, great job, Harry."

"I guess we really got to them this time, huh? I mean, they look horrible. Maybe because it's our last year...?"

I turned, and saw green cloaks billowing in the wind.

XXX

"What the hell is wrong with you, Malfoy? Got something on your mind?" an angry voice snapped in my ear.

I pulled myself out of my train of thought and looked into the blazing eyes of Zabini. What can I say? Of course my head wasn't in the game. It was elsewhere.

"Calm down, Zabini. It wasn't just me responsible for a petty loss," I snapped back. I ran an hand through my hair, and looked across the pitch. My stomach lurched.

She was standing with Pothead and Weaselbrain. I suppressed a growl.

What the hell is wrong with me?

"Well, well, well, Potter. Celebrating, are we?" I said, smirking.

"Why shouldn't we, Malfoy? We won, didn't we? Something you're not capable of doing this season, right?"

He laughed in my face, as well as Granger. That hurt.

Not possible...

I scoffed. "Consider yourself lucky, Pothead. This was only once that my head wasn't in the game."

"Not get enough sleep last night, Ferret Boy?" Hermione said, smirking.

Weasley laughed. "Funny you should ask, Mudblood," I said, accenting my word.

She just rolled her eyes at me. "Tut, tut, Malfoy. You never learn," she said, still smirking. "Speaking of learning, maybe you and your... ah.. buddies should learn some new game tactics, don't you think?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "How dare you, you pathetic excuse for a human being, thinking you can go and speak to me that way. You're not even as high up - "

"Just stop right there, Malfoy, before you hurt yourself," she said, laughing. "I'll speak to you however I bloody well please, you pathatic excuse for a wizard. You're no more higher up than I am," she said, her eyes flashing. "Oh, and by the way, Malfoy, I expect you to be at our next tutoring session."

My jaw dropped. Half my teammates around me snickered. The Gryffindors beside her doubled over with laughter. Talk about shooting a man's horse. No, I won't let her get to me.

"Tata, Malfoy," she said, sauntering off.

I watched that impure, horrible, disfigured angel walk away, leaving me there looking like a fool.

"Lost your touch, Malfoy...?" was the last thing I heard, before walking towards the castle.

XXX

I sat at the dinner table that night, my head full of nothing but bliss. Boy has Malfoylost his touch this year. Nothing is going to stop me this year. Not even him.

"So Hermione," Ron said, reaching for a pumpkin pastrie, "How about... well... y-you.. and..."

"What, Ron?" I said, raising an eyebrow, grinning.

"Well -"

"Well, once again we are all fed and watered," Dumbledore had cut Ron off. "I know it was only a couple of days ago when I ah.. warned you of the masked ball, but we have finally chosen when it shall be. A week from today, as in, next Saturday, plan on bringing out your dancing shoes!"

The hall erupted. Everyone laughed at his last remark.

"Now, off with you all!"

"What is it you wanted to tell me before, Ron?" I asked, walking next to him.

He shook his shaggy head. Sometimes I just felt like running my hand through his soft mane of hair. "Ah... don't worry about it, I forgot."

He was lying. "Come on Ron," I said, playfully bumping into him. "Don't lie to me."

He grinned, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. "Ah...well..."

"Oi! Ron! Come here mate!"

Ron looked up, seeing Harry. "I guess I'll ask- tell you later, Hermione," he said, rushing off to Harry.

Drat. And I thought he was going to ask me to the ball.

Wait.

What?

Me and Ron?

Well...

XXX

My mind had drifted to the mysterious man once again. I ran my hands through my hair.

"Ah... why is this happening to me?" I said to myself, laying my head on the table.

Oh yeah, one thing I forgot to mention. I think I might have feelings for Ron Weasley.

XXX

Ron went into the common room, and saw a distressed looking Hermione with her head on the table. He smiled, walking over to her.

"Hermione?" he said, pushing on her arm. "You okay?"

She looked up, and smiled at him. "Yeah, Ron, I'm fine. How are you?"

He leaned back in his chair, and grinned. "I'm doing okay..."

"But...?"

"Ah, Hermione, you know me all to well," he said, grinning. "Well... look.. okay, this is hard for me, but... yeah.. just give me a minute..."

Hermione smiled, and lay her hand on top of his. "It's okay, Ron. You can ask me anything..."

Ron glanced down at their hands. "Okay... wilgobawlwifmeh?"

Hermione laughed. "What Ronald?"

"Will you go to the ball with me?"

Hermione slowly pulled her hand away from his, speechless. "Well... I mean..."

"Yeah, it's okay.. d- don't worry about it... I knew you wouldn't..." he said, standing up, heading for his dormitory.

Hermione sat there for a bit, following him with her eyes as he walked passed her.

"Hey.. Ron..." she said, standing up, clutching a fistful of robes in her hand.

"Yeah?"

"Yes..."

"Yes.. what?" he said, oblivious.

"I'll go."

"You'll go? With me?" he said, pointing to himself.

She laughed. "Yes, unless there is another Ron standing in front of me."

He stood there, a lopsided grin forming on his face. "Well.. yeah.. I mean... no.. I mean.. yeah."

Hermione walked up to him, placing a hand on the side of his face. "It's okay, Ron. Why don't you sleep on it?"

He nodded in her hand. "Yeah. I will."

She smiled at him, and headed for her own dormitory, her mind pushing the thoughts of the mysterious lover away.

XXX

I sat infront of the fireplace that night, pressing my fingers against my temple. Stupid girl. Infecting my brain with some sort of uncureable virus.

No.

I know the cure. But I don't want to admit it. I can't. It's a disgrace.

She's the only cure. I need to have her with me. Mine. She has to be mine. I need her lips on mine. Feel the warmth of her skin against mine.

Damn it.

XXX

I stood by my window, looking out at the stars, a smile of pure bliss on my lips.

Ron Weasley asked me to the ball with him. Is it wrong that I'm so psyched over my best mate asking me to the ball?

I turned around, a grin still on my face. I slid into my covers, closing my eyes. This time, a good night's sleep ahead of me.

XXX

I stole into Granger's room again that night. I cursed myself over and over again for myself feeling this way. Feeling so... addicted.

This time, a smile was on her lips as she slept. I couldn't help but wonder if that beautiful smile was for me.

I kneeled down beside her again, pushing a strand of hair from her face. I ran my finger across her cheek. Her skin was so soft. She was perfect in every way. Her soft complexion, her soft curly hair.

I placed my lips on hers softly. I pulled her too me, kissing her gently.

She felt me, and pulled me too her again, once again openeing her eyes in the dark. I didn't pull away this time. I needed somemore of her. I intensified the kiss, stroking her arm.

She broke the kiss, and sat up in the bed. "Who are you?" she asked softly.

I said nothing, only stared at her, and touched her cheek, before leaving her.

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