A/N: Thanks for more great reviews! Also, congratulations to LOST for getting the Emmy for 'Outstanding Drama' the other night! YAY LOST!
Disclaimer: I don't own LOST or the Emmy's…
Chapter 8: The First Cut is the Deepest
Ron was still not speaking to Hermione the next morning. Once again, this disheartened Hermione. More than anything se wanted, and though she was slow to admit it, needed his friendship back.
Down at the breakfast table Harry was trying to break the ice, but nothing would make Ron talk to Hermione. In the middle of a long winded attempt ("So how long did it take you to do your homework last night? I mean, those essays were…") a large owl landed in front or Hermione and stuck out its leg. Placing a knut in the small pouch, she took the paper from his beak. It seemed as though Ron was about to say something when the juice Hermione had just put in her mouth shot across the table.
Harry jumped. "What is it? What happened?"
Hermione, unable to speak, shook her head and laid the paper on the table. A large headline read across the top and middle of the page:
FULL AZKABAN BREAKOUT:
DEMENTORS TURN FROM THE MINISTRY
TO JOIN YOU-KNOW-WHO'S
FORCES
All color drained from their faces as they read the headline. Hermione's mouth dropped open. Ron left all traces of anger and looked at his friends. "D'you think that…Well that they'll come here like last year?"
Harry shook his head. "I don't know…Hey, has anyone seen Snape?"
They looked up to the head table but saw no greasy haired defense against the dark arts teacher today. Instead, they saw Slughorn and a very pretty woman they didn't know…Or thought they didn't.
It was Ron's turn to spit out juice. Sitting in Snape's old seat was-
Phlegm.
As Harry started to laugh, Draco came over and whispered in Hermione's ear. "Can you come with me?"
Hermione stood up and let him lead her to wherever he was going. After ten minutes of silent walking, they reached a small grove of trees overlooking the lake. Hermione gasped. Draco smiled. "I thought you'd like it."
Hermione was speechless. Throwing her arms around him, she hugged him. He pulled her face up towards his and they kissed.
………………
Harry and Ron sat in the library during their free period working. They hadn't seen Hermione, and that was a shock to them. But there were more pressing matters to talk about than Hermione's absence from the library, such as what has happened that morning.
"Phlegm! How did she get to be Defense Against the Dark Arts professor? I mean, I understand that every guy is now going to pay attention in class, but still!" Ron was back onto his rant about how he now had someone to report him to his mother.
"Ron, don't you think that a full Azkaban break out is-"
"I mean, now mum will know EXACTLY what I'm doing! How can she do this to me? My own sister in law!"
"I realize you're upset Ron, but I really don't think it's that big of a-"
"She'll know about the Fainting Fancies I bought! And the Puking Pastiles! And the Lo-" Ron stopped there, looking horrified. "What were you saying Harry?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "I was going to say, don't you think that a full Azkaban break out is a little more important than-" But his words were cut off by Hermione walking into the library with a dreamy look on her face.
"What happened now Hermione?" Harry asked. Hermione didn't answer.
"What did Malfoy want?" Ron added, trying to get an answer. Again, Hermione ignored him.
Harry thought back to fifth year. Suddenly he said, "Did you kiss?"
Hermione seemed to have heard this perfectly well as she turned a bright shade of pink.
"Hermione!" Ron shouted.
She turned to him, looking into his eyes and seeing them filled with rage. "Yes. We kissed. Why do you care?"
Ron looked horrified. "I never said I cared!"
"It seems like you care quite a bit!"
"It's your choice!"
"Then let me make it!"
Ron stopped. Taking a deep breath he said, "Hermione, I've been thinking-"
But Hermione was in a terrible rage. "Oh don't strain yourself! I'm going to the common room!"
With that she stalked out. Harry turned to Ron. "Why do you care?"
Ron blushed and muttered something. Harry cocked his head. "What?"
A little louder Ron said something where the only word audible was "her". Harry leaned in and Ron said, "I like her."
