She could hear the faintest hum of a busy little bumble bee working to its heart desire on a warm spring day. The sun was immaculate in all her radiance as her rays worked at a beacon onto her dreary subject. The subject's hair was in a tangled mass, from a result of resting in a lush, grassy field.
The bee was buzzing closer and closer, with each beat to the internal drum of breath that the subject displayed. He must have landed gracefully on a flower that was swaying in the warm breeze, not far from her resting place. There weren't too many days like this in Scotland, and all she wanted to do was sleep here in the warm splendor that she had somehow been rewarded. The breeze, the warm grass, and the soft glaze of the sun- they all seemed to hold her in their warm embrace. The feeling that she felt while she lie there, enjoying every comfort that life had to offer, gave the feeling of not lying the warm earth, but in the arms of someone she cared very deeply for…of someone she loved.
The bee was now almost against her ear. Would he not just leave her alone and let her sleep in the sun's warm embrace? The buzz was now hammering in her ear. She swiped at the noise hoping that he sudden action would eliminate the clamor. This action was futile, for the buzz was persistent and it kept on going.
"Go away," she moaned quietly, still half asleep.
As the buzzing prolonged, it sounded less and less like a sound that a bumble bee would make. The noise was so harsh and so intense, that there was now a scratching sound blaring in her ear. 'What is that', she thought. It kept getting worse, for she was not only graced by one of the most aggravating noises imaginable, but the warm countryside was fading away from her, replacing itself with a cold, dank room.
'It sounds like the bee is meowing now,' she thought to herself in disbelief. The bee was not buzzing anymore…the bee wasn't a bee at all. WHAT WAS IT?
"Hermione," whispered a voice soft and gentle in her ears. Convinced that her dream was revolving back to a blissful state, she snuggled against the warm mass beside her.
"HERMIONE," the voice whispered a little harsher and with extreme urgency, "we need to go now."
Goodbye comfortable field she surrendered as she opened her eyes, only to be met by two large orange orbs, drilling into her soul.
"Mrs. Norris?" she said, still half lost in the world of dreams.
"Will you bloody come on….please," the voice urged, no longer calm, but still with the same comforting appeal.
She turned around to the soft mass that had been the source of heat that was the sun in her dream.
"Ron," she whispered as she turned around. His eyes were bluer than she remembered; they pierced her like ice, yet they melted her heart. He was the only person she had ever met that had this effect on her. Then it all came back to her. The night before, the amazing kiss by the lake, all the talk after words and then falling asleep in his arms.
"Yes, Hermione, it's me", he said with an impatient notion, "will you please get up?"
She heard her little bee again, meowing in low growl. She turned back around and the realization hit her like the Hogwarts Express.
"Mrs. Norris," she said flatly, clearly aware of what this unwelcomed encounter meant- she had endured it more times than she cared to remember.
"Yes Hermione," he said it a very Ron-like agitated tone, "we need to go! Filch can't be too far away." And sure enough, as soon as the words left his mouth, they could both distinctly hear the wheezing breath of none other that Argus Filch…the sound that would for sure warrant major deductions of hard earned House points, many grueling days of the worst detentions imaginable, and possible expulsion from the position of sixth-year Gryffindor prefects.
Hermione jumped up off the ground and grabbed her still slightly damp cloak.
"Oh Ron, what…what…how….we need….so much trouble…expulsion….-
"Hermione," Ron said sternly as he placed both of his hands firmly on her shoulders, leaned in and kissed her fiercely, then pulled away, "will you please shut up? He's going to hear you and then we'll bloody be in for it."
"Yeah, okay," she said in a softer voice than she had previously displayed.
He grabbed her hand and she held onto it with everything that she had. She knew that Ron could be as thick as elephant hide at times, but for the first time in her life, she placed her full confidence and trust in him, and her sudden change of judgment was telling her that it was okay to have faith in his guidance.
After placing her full confidence in him, she realized that this decision may have been made an act of rash vainness.
"Ron," she gasped, "he's outside the door…what are we going to do?" She was now bouncing on the balls of her small feet, giving the intuition of a child experiencing sever spasms of anxiety.
"Will you please relax?" And with that final request, Ron pulled his wand out of his robes and muttered a spell that Hermione thought sounded vaguely familiar, but she had never used it, nor saw it performed.
"Lets get the hell out of here," he said as he pulled her through the newly formed door. Hermione was dumbfounded that Ron had performed a spell that she was not common to her spell book of knowledge, and could not find the words to speak. Her temporary penalization was actually a very good thing. As he closed the door behind them, they heard the breathless voice of Filch rasping, "What is it my sweet? Did you find some rule-breakers? Ah…this door wasn't here earlier…I'll have them out for sure!"
"Ron," Hermione whimpered, "he's going to catch us! Get rid of that door!" Not only was she in an irate state at the idea of her perfect shiny Prefect badge being ripped from her chest, but she was flooded with absolute frustration because she could not get rid of the door on her own.
Both of Ron's eyebrows rose to substantial height. He flicked his wand at the door and muttered the reverse spell. He said he incantation just in time, for the moment that the wall sealed itself back to its normal state, there was a pounding on the other side.
"Damn kids! It's straight to Dumbledore with this!" came in a muffled pitch trough the wall thick.
Ron turned around to face Hermione, only to see her with her hands placed firmly on her hips, with a half annoyed, half amused expression on her face. Many things had transpired upon Hermione the previous night. She had cried, her face had been wind burnt; she had been soaked to the bone with sleet and snow. Her hair was mussed and the lack of proper sleep had invited dark circles to rest under her chocolate eyes. Her skin was unnaturally pale, from the sleep depravation that she had suffered. Her eyes were red from the crying that she had experienced and the alabaster tone her complexion was suffering had yet to take flight from her face. Yet….
"You are so beautiful," he whispered into her ear.
"I…what?"
"You are beautiful…always have been…always will be."
"Oh Ron, I look a fright!" she said as she tried to smooth down her hair.
He took her hand at ceased her hasty action.
"No….you are perfect."
So absorbed in escaping Filch, they were oblivious that Ron's temporary door had led them into an almost-empty Great Hall. Unaware that they now had an audience, the distance between their faces was becoming smaller and smaller. Just as they were a mere fraction away from attaining the contact that they were increasingly craving they were interrupted by an: "Ahem."
They quickly broke their contact and turned to confront their audience.
"Gi-Ginny," Ron croaked.
"Ron," she said pointedly. She cocked her head slightly to his right, "Hermione," she said in the same fashion that she had addressed her brother. She was attempting to her best effort to show as little emotion as possible, but her effort was futile as a huge smirk began to creep across her face.
By the look of Ginny's demeanor, Hermione reckoned that she might have looked worse than she did herself; that her night may not have gone so well. She was beginning to suspect who Ginny's secret was and she knew that there was no way by Merlin that he would ever tell her she was perfect just the way she was. But that was neither here nor there…for now. She wasn't going to rouse her suspicions in front of Ron.
"So…erm…you two on the upside now, are you?"
"Well, yes," Hermione said a little nervously, "I guess you could say that." There was an uncomfortable silence, at which, Hermione turned to Ron for some form of support.
"Er…we…we are…we…well you see Ginny…we ah…" he trailed off, his face rapidly achieving the shade of a very ripe tomato.
"Ron…will you just shut up? You are ruining this moment for me!" she said with a huge smile on her face.
"Great," he muttered, his voice overflowing with a combination of embarrassment and irritation, "she'll never stop taking the micky out of me."
"I mean it Ron! She is one of the best things that has ever happened to you!"
"Err…right," he said , still unconvinced that her comment really was genuine.
There was an awkward silence, at which Hermione decided it was time to break.
"So, Ginny, what brings you down here so early?"
Ginny's smile was instantly wiped from her face, only to be replaced by a nervous grimace. This lie that she was living is was soon approaching its maximum limit and her energy to keep it up was vanishing like a vapor of mist. The truth and an obvious one at that (to Hermione, at least), was that she was to meet Draco in an alcove off of the Great Hall, at which Ginny was sure would turn out only disastrous. Yet, as she had learned the hard way, sometimes involving herself in dangerous, but congenial situations had become addicting and she was addicted to the idea of Draco. She knew that he was a horrible person who was less likely to change as she was to admit to Ron what she had been up to. At the same time, however, she held onto desperate hope that he would turn into the person that she knew at the beginning of term.
Besides her fanatical idea that he would change for the better, she also felt great amounts of sympathy for him. Here was a boy, trying to find his place in the cruel world that they now lived in. The man that Draco relied on for every provision that he needed was now imprisoned. To top that off, Ginny knew that no one really liked Draco, including a fair percentage of the Slytherins.
Ginny knew that Draco did not love her, but she did know that he thought he loved her. And this very idea she poured out compassion like a Spring-time rain cloud- Draco did not know how to love. She was starting to succumb to the devastating truth that no matter how much she tried to turn him into the person that was buried deep inside his soul, that the decision was ultimately going to be his and there was nothing she could to help him along the way. However, this was her problem and one that she executed on her own free will. It pained her more than she could ever let on that Harry had discovered her horrible secret. She was a big girl and she got herself into this mess and she sure as hell was going to get herself out; Draco was not her problem anymore. The question was how? And, how was she going to keep lying to those she loved the most in the world; this act was draining the energy and vibrancy out if her. But, she had to keep in up and keep it up well. With that last thought, she heaved a deep, weary breath and replied:
"Oh, well, I fancied an early breakfast."
This answer was enough to satisfy Ron, who shrugged his shoulders and turned to parade back to Gryffindor tower. Hermione, on the other hand, was not convinced.
"Ginny," she said uncertainly, "you usually aren't the first to rise. What brought about this change?"
'Well, you …you know," she faltered, " O.W.L's are drawing closer and closer and I thought if I kipped to breakfast early enough, I could get in some extra study time before lessons start," she finished, a little too cheerily.
"But," Hermione implored, "isn't your first lesson Herbology?"
"Yes," Ginny answered, with a hint of mild agitation seeping into her already meek voice.
"Well, it did snow a great deal last night, and since Herbology has been cancelled do to the atrocious weather, I would say it would be safe to assume that the snow would only be a sure cancellation again? You've been using that time to study." Seeing that she had clearly caught Ginny in a lie and Ginny knew she had been caught in a lie (and close to tears), Hermione decided to back off a little and give her a hole out.
"But, I guess I've just been a good influence on you," she said in a jesting tone with a smile on your face, "and you decided that you really needed to start studying more than the time you have allotted yourself."
Aware at what Hermione was doing, Ginny caught on with tremendous alacrity. "Right, Hermione. That's exactly what I was doing."
"Well, maybe we'll see you down here later then?" Hermione implored kindly.
"Right," Ginny answered.
"Well, bye then."
"Goodbye Hermione," Ginny said sadly, clearly aware that she had been stood up Draco again.
Before Ron and Hermione climbed through the portrait hole, Hermione stopped Ron,
"Where did you learn that spell," she asked in astonishment.
"Why," he said with a smile on his face, "Are you annoyed that there is something I know that you don't?"
"Well," she said, tightening the grip on his hand and looking deep into his blue eyes, "I actually found it quite impressive."
"Oh," he said, his face returning to its previous red tint, "…..good."
When they entered, most of the common room was abuzz with the new snow that had finally blanked itself across the grounds. They sadly parted ways, each to their prospective dormitories.
When Ron arrived to the sixth-year dormitory, he was vexed to see that Harry, along with Dean and Neville were still present. Dean was still lying in his bed, though Ron could see that he was wide awake, Neville was clumsily trying to pull his socks on over his over-sized feet, and Harry was bent down over his rucksack, loading it with the books that were necessary for the day's lessons.
Ron entered the room like it was the most natural thing in the world for him to have stormed out of the castle, followed closely behind Hermione the previous evening, only to have just returned at dawn. To his utter fright, all three boys looked up from what they were doing and said: "Where have you been?" all in unison.
"I…err…"
Ron stopped to think about what Hermione and he had talked about, in regards to telling Harry about what had happened. Remembering that they never really reached a solution, and he was not clever enough to tell a convincing fib, he decided to go with the truth….or at least half of it.
"Well, Hermione and I had a lot to sort through-"
At this comment Harry gave an involuntary snort, to which Ron ignored with great effort.
"and," Ron continued with irritation in his voice, "we...err…made up. We…ah….after me talked, we, well you see, I went out the Lake, don't ask me why, I was freezing my arse off, and she followed me out there. Well, it started to snow, so we decided to go into the castle to finish our conversation and-"
"Ron," Dean interrupted, sitting straight up in bed now, "it started snowing a good two hours after you two stormed out. You were out there that long? That must have been a long conversation," he finished, with an extremely indicative tone."
"Listen Thomas," Ron replied defensively, "I know what you are implying and I sure as hell don't appreciate it!"
"Whoa, I was only saying…"
Seeing the confrontational, embarrassed look that was anchored on Ron's face and mistaking that look for a look of rage, Dean determined that he was not going to win this fight with Ron and decided to back off.
"Sorry Weasley."
Realizing that he had just skated over some very thin ice, and came very close to falling through, he decided to ignore Dean and keep going with his story.
"So, after it started snowing, we decided to go into the castle." He stopped for a moment, considering his words and decided to speak something genuine and something that came from his heart: "I reckon…I reckon neither one of us wanted our conversation to end. We…for the last six years…well since we've know each other…we've at times tolerated one another because we felt like we had to. Sure there were times where we tolerated one another because we wanted to, but it didn't feel…I don't know…real, you know?"
The other three boys shook their heads in acknowledgement.
"Well, last night was the first time where it felt real. I feel like for the first time in my life, I really know Hermione Granger and I know she feels the same way. We started over fresh…and some things you just don't want to end."
Ron didn't realize it, but through his speech he had slowly backed into a bed and was staring in a deep daze. Finally Harry spoke up: "Ron…Ron? Are you okay?"
Ron broke his bond of concentration and replied softly, "Yeah…for the first time in a long time…I'm great."
A/N: Hello my long lost friends! I'm sorry (ONCE AGAIN) that the update has taking so long! I will be completely honest with you all: I had really lost my motivation for writing. One thing was, I really didn't have time to set down and write, because of school. I don't know how many of you readers are also authors, but I know for me I have to be in a mode and to get in that mode, I have to write for at least an hour, which has been impossible for me. Well, one we broke for winter holiday, I had been so used to not writing , I really didn't want to. Well, I was bored one day, so I went in to check some of my reviews and OH MY WORD! You all are amazing! There were soooooo many reviews with soooooo many nice things about the story! They were all really encouraging and they made me want to go back and write. One in particular that sticks out in my min d was one from someone named Anna. So, I want to thank you personally Anna, whoever and wherever you are! Your review really helped me. Thanks so much to everyone else, all of your encouragement made writing this chapter really fun for me.
Also, I feel that my writing style has changed a little since my last chapter. Could you AMAZING reviewers please tell me:
If you have noticed a change
If you liked my old style or my new style better
If you all are thinking "what the hell is she talking about? How are they different?" Here is what I think: I think in the last few chapters I focused more on description and less on the story and I think this chapter is opposite. This change was not on purpose; it just happened:D
LOVE YA ALL!
2005-11-23
ch
15, reply
awesome! i love this story update soon!
Thanks so much! I finally updated:P
End-of-ur-world
2005-10-19
ch
15, reply
That was a great story! I hope you continue it!
I will continue it…no need to worry about that. Now its just a matter of getting me to do it! Thanks so much for the review!
MyStIcS
number 42
2005-10-14
ch 15, reply
o i luv it can u write more soon plz
Thanks so much! I have been writing for four days straight:D
the
Desert Fox
2005-10-14
ch 15, anon.
"But
I'm innocent. I didn't kill anybody." - Peter Nicodos
"You've
already learned the Riker's Island theme song. Good for you."-
Jack McCoy
Good chapter. Thankie kindly for having Ron get annoyed over the thought of his sister dating. Lots of sap, good thing I came prepared.
Gotcha, though I'd like to file one more request, if Fleur makes an appearance, I'd greatly appreciate if Ginny would refrain from referring to Fleur as Phlegm. 1) It's childish, and yes I'm a hypocrite for saying it. 2) I have a hard time accepting Ginny doing that sort of thing. That's something I'd expect from Lavender or Parvati. While I realize that Ginny has often referred to Ron as a prat or a git, to me it's a bit different. 3) I don't think Harry would want to date a girl like who behaves like that, I know I wouldn't.
I realize there are those who don't like certain characters, and have the tendency to make them behave a certain way (aside from what Doc Rowling did) ergo Cho throwing herself shamelessly all over Harry. Frankly it could probably cause you to loose readers, and it's rather clichéd. Sure there are those who have the same beliefs about certain characters, but there are better ways of going about it.
I've ran across fics where people don't like Ron, and are quick in having Ron turn on Harry. Unfortunately they don't take their time with it and make it believable. Then someone like me comes along reads and is like, this pathetic. A lot of people are good writers, possibly great ones, but ruin it by not taking the time or making certain things or rather parts of the fic believable. From what I can tell, you have convinced me that you are a good writer and that these events can actually happen.
Doc Rowling up to book 6 convinced me she was a good writer. Since book 6, it's made me wonder. I myself may not be a fan of certain pairings, but have come to accept them because there are those who like said pairings. Unfortunately Rowling did some things that to me look like she goes against what she's previously said or written. Yes Harry/Ginny pairing has already been discussed, but I'd like to repeat what's already been said. From what we, my friends and I, have gathered Harry was not supposed to be dating anyone for HBP. Which I can believe, and in my opinion, he should date after Voldermort's dead. I'd also like to add that Harry definitely needs dating experience. He should date more than girl before he decides that he should sick with a long term girlfriend.
We'll skip over Ron's behavior about Harry/Ginny. There's some others that I should mention. One last note, is it me or does anyone see that history's being repeated. Potter had dark hair, and was geeky looking. Lily had red hair, and was attractive. Harry has dark hair and is geeky looking like his old man. Ginny is attractive and has red hair. Do the Potter males have some sort of thing for redheads?
Keep up the good work. HP/DG forever
Thanks so much for the review! Don't worry. Fleur w ill not make an appearance, seeing as how I really don't like her a whole lot. BUT, I have to disagree with you when you say that you can't see Ginny calling her Phlegm, seeing how she is Joe's character and that's how she wrote her. I mean, if JK writes a character the way they are then…well…that's how they are and there is no disputing it. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but there doesn't seem like there was a whole lot in book six that Ginny did that Harry WAS NOT attracted to. :D
Cho will not make an appearance…I don't like her either.
I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY appreciate you telling me that I have made the story believable…that means a lot to me. I have read stories where Ron and Hermione get together and two chapters later…they are shagging! I'm sorry, but that IS NOT how it would happen (if Ron and Hermione did shag, which is something that I won't write about and really don't even want to think about). So, thanks for that amazing compliment.
I agree…I don't think that Harry needed a girlfriend in this book. BUT, we have to keep in mind that he realized that and broke it off with Ginny. I think she will always be in his heart and if he survives Voldemort, she will be there waiting.
I agree with you on the Harry/Ginny James/Lily thing! Very neat indeed.
Thanks so much for the amazing review! I really appreciate it!
Tyger
2005-10-14
ch 15, anon.
I was about to erase your story from my favorites when I saw that it was updated! I though that you had stopped writing. your previous chapters have been better than this one but I am glad that you have updated! it was a good chapter just not very productive.
Oh, don't do that! I will always update and I have full intentions on finishing (some chapters just take me a little longer than others). I'm sorry that this chapter was not up to your standards, but I really do appreciate your constructive criticism. I will always update…I like to finish things that I start…its one of my pet peeves. Thanks so much for the review. ALSO, if you wuld like to check the status of the story you can always email me at and I would love to chat with you about it!
pureangel86
2005-10-13
ch
15, reply
I Love this story! Are you going to hold true to the Harry/Ginny in HBP because it seems like you have Ginny with Draco just to get her mind off of Harry. Did Ron and Hermione spend the night together wow thats a rumor nightmare waiting to happen.
Thanks so much! Well..you will just have to read and see. Let me just tell you this…I love Ginny way to much to see her unhappy. They did stay the night together..but not on purpose:P
SpaceyChic468
2005-10-13
ch
15, reply
Great chappie! You always put such great description in! I was kinda wondering if you died, but...it was worth the wait! Now you just need to put in more Harry/Ginny action! Though I change my 'favourite couple' so often, by your next update, I'll probably be back to Hermoine/Ron...oh, well..(did any of that make sense?) Anyway, great job! Update soon!
Thank you! No…I didn't die! I'm just lazy:P Yeah..that made sense….I change my mind all the time. I will always update….some chapters just may take a little longer than others.
Zarroc
2005-10-13
ch
15, reply
awesome story, i love it! so glad Hermione and Ron finally got together and told eachother their feelings, and Ginny and Draco? wow, glad she starting to regret it, i'm glad Harry's trying to be there for her, and when he's in love with her! awesome... keep reading and writing and post next chapters soon
Thanks so much…yeah I figured it was about time for them to get it all out in the open. Thank you so much for the amazing review.
Celi
2005-10-12
ch
15, reply
Great chapter! I'v been waiting for it..:-) They are really cute together...smile
I know! I'm so sorry you had to wait so long (and so long for sixteen too, by the way) Thanks for the review!
Gashlyn
2005-10-12
ch
15, reply
HM, I wonder who Ginny is dating? (Hint-hint: Harry maybe) Anyway, I see that Ron and Hermione are really into their relationship. But I wonder how long they will be able to keep a secret...FROM EVERYONE? PLEASE CONTINUE:)
Well, not Harry yet Ron and Hermione are FINALLY together and it was really fun to write! I will continue…I promise.