"The Sickness"
With some annoyance caused by Harry, with his little obsession of convincing her and Ron Malyfoy was a Death Eater, and the first years running a muck, Hermione patrolled the corridors of the Hogwarts Express, her prefect badge gleaming with a joy and an enthusiasm that eluded her. It had been a few days already since the three of them had ran into Malfoy and his mother in Diagon Alley, but that was all he could talk about now. He had a right to suspect the slime ball for disappearing into Knockturn Alley and threatening an oily clerk with a visit from a dangerous werewolf, yet Harry had failed in his persuasion. Malfoy is only 16. What good could he be to Voldemort?
"Hey, don't be so down. I thought you liked school." Ron was smiling at her while holding a first year by the scruff of the neck to keep him from attacking another.
"Oh, I'm happy to be coming back, if that's what you mean. It's just, Harry's been a little engrossed in the idea that Malfoy is a Death Eater."
"Well, let him have his fun. You know he's never going to stop before he finds out for himself."
"Yeah, I know that. I just don't want to hear about it all the time."
Ron gave a chortle and drew her into a one armed hug, still restraining the brutish underclassman. Hermione could feel is warmth spreading and intoxicating her body. Since when have hugs been so exhilarating? she thought. She wanted to stand there with him for hours on end, but was soon interrupted by a passing group of snickering fourth year girls. Ron quickly withdrew his arm looking embarrassed.
"Er, well, um…." he mumbled.
"Yes, right, uh…." Hermione replied stupidly.
They pretended nothing had happened. After all they had to coincide with their plan. They were going to keep their relationship a secret. So often were reputations muddled and destroyed for doing what mere couples do. Ginny was a lucky one, her popularity and personality out shone her involvement with boys, no matter how horrible they were, specifically the more recent Dean Thomas whose arrogance and excessive use of the word "cool" should have been reasons enough to drop him.
It was a few hours later when Ron and Hermione were on their way to the Great Hall for the ceremony. As she was turning into the Hall, Ron had taken hold of her left arm, dragging her into a deserted corridor. When it was for certain that they were alone he began.
"Are you sure you don't want to be open? I don't care. 'S long as I'm with you. I don't want you to feel obligated."
Hermione thought a bit before saying: "Sorry, Ron. I don't think I could face Parvati or Lavender. 'Specially together." She gave him a look that conveyed apology, shame, and guilt. She didn't want to ruin what they had just established. She wanted him to understand. He was her first boyfriend. She wanted to make this last.
Ron merely gave her a nod of comprehension. He took her hand and led her back to the Hall. Releasing their hands, he ushered her in before the first years strode along led by Professor McGonagall to be sorted. They took their seats at the Gryffindor table. Where is Harry? Hermione thought. But her thoughts of Harry soon evaporated. Ron had taken her hand in his beneath the grand oak table. She almost melted. Their interlaced fingers sent explosions of endorphins throughout her entire body. The feast passed in a colorful blur. That is until Harry walked in, covered in blood. The dark figure of Snape followed in behind him. Harry forced himself between the two of them.
"Where've you -- blimey, what've you done to your face?" Ron was staring at him along with the rest of the school.
Hermione quickly cleaned him up and they talked a little while tucking into some pudding. Hermione was deeply disturbed. What happened to him? Also bothered by the news of Snape being the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. After Dumbledore had given his speech they were dismissed.
The next day her pity for Harry was quickly slipping away as he went on to tell her and Ron what he had overheard Malfoy discuss on the train. She knew he was nosey, but to sneak into a compartment full of Slytherins who hated him so? He was down right reckless at times. He was asking for trouble.
They were given their schedules by McGonagall and left for their classes. Hermione was given so much homework for Runes that she could feel the pressure of the year increasing upon herfrom the first day. It didn't help that Harry was out doing her in Potions either. Hermione was beginning to develop a loathing and wariness of the Half-Blood Prince's tattered Potions book. It had been a few weeks of Harry in the spot light before he had his first private lesson with Dumbledore. Meaning she and Ron were alone.
Ron was snuggling up close to her in the deserted common room as they waited for Harry's return. Hermione was working on a very difficult essay for Snape. Her distaste for her Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was growing with every lesson and assignment.
"Oh, not now, Ron. I'm busy!" she snapped at him.
"We haven't had some time alone for a while now. Can you blame me for trying to get close? You can do that stupid thing another time."
"What? During the free time we have? You know that it's not going to be just a lie down when we have that time. We need that to study. Our N.E.W.T.S. will be coming up soon! I won't have time to finish it then. And you could do with some studying."
"Fine!" he huffed as he got up. With his lips pursed together he inclined his head indicating "Good Night" and stormed off towards the boys dormitory.
At the site of his back, she had felt a pang of regret. I'm sorry. she thought. Her moment of guilt, however, was soon over taken by anger. How could he not understand?