Chapter 4 - Mutual Jealousy
Ron huffed as he checked his watch for the five thousandth time that evening, wondering when on earth this bloody 'dinner party' would finish. It would be simple for any outsider to just guess that Ron was annoyed that both of his friends, even his little sister were all invited to the Slug Club, but that wasn't all the truth. In fact, Ron was hardly bothered that he was the only one of their trio that Professor Slughorn couldn't even remember the name of, let alone invite to his club. No, Ron was watching the portrait frame in such agitation because he would be there. He, was none other than Cormac McLaggen, a boy from their year that Ron couldn't quite believe had found himself in Gryffindor. He was anything but the qualities that a Gryffindor upheld. He was rude, cocky and far from caring. Ron despised him. A small corner of Ron's brain argued that it was irrational for Ron to feel so strongly against him, he had only asked if there was anything going on between Ron and Hermione. But that small corner of Ron's mind was more often than not dismissed and ignored. It wasn't just that McLaggen had asked, it was the way he had asked. The seedy look on his face that Ron deemed as nothing but downright pervy. He felt an instant urge to go and sit beside Hermione, despite the fact he was about to go play for his Keeper role, something he had only dreamt of as a child. But the thought of him being anywhere near Hermione was something that not even Quidditch could distract Ron from. Maybe that's why he had played so well that day, maybe it was just to get one more over on McLaggen, show him that what was Ron's wasn't his to touch. But the sad fact was that Hermione didn't belong to Ron, much like the Keeper position, which sent doubts through Ron's already conflicted mind, causing him to blunder. It didn't matter however, much to Ron's delight, McLaggen proved once again that he was, indeed, all talk and missed a surely easy catch. The thought made Ron smile, until of course he heard someone else enter the portrait, that wasn't them, that wasn't her.
His foot began to wiggle as he became more impatient, reminding him of how Hermione had calmed him the last time he had fidgeted nervously. He wondered if she had realised how much that meant to him. No, of course she didn't, because you're a prat who was too worried about Quidditch to tell her, Ron cursed at himself mentally before rubbing his forehead with his index finger and thumb. Where the bloody hell are they? He thought, annoyed. He glanced around the room to suppress even a slither of his impatience. The common room was quite quiet, most of the sounds being generated from a small corner of the room where Pavarti Patil and Lavender Brown sat, giggling away at something. Lavender seemed to abruptly terminate their chatter, as she beamed at Ron and waved vigorously. Ron offered a small smile and a wave back before looking away uneasily. He wasn't really sure if Lavender had always been so...friendly? Or whether he was only now just noticing. His thoughts were interjected however, when the muffled sound of familiar voices came from behind the portrait.
"Hey, Ron." Ginny said as she walked through first, Ron could've sworn her eyes were red rimmed.
"Uh - hi, you alright?" He asked tentatively.
"Oh" Ginny started as a wave of realisation washed over her face as if she had forgotten that she looked as if she had been upset. "I'm fine - really, thanks." She added as she waved her hand dismissively, Ron decided it was best not to probe. "What are you doing up so late?" She asked.
Ron shrugged and looked down to the floor before looking back up to her suspicious expression. "Where's Her- the others?" He asked, nearly wincing at his own awkwardness.
Ginny didn't seem convinced by his fumbling however, but she didn't say anything, just narrowed her eyes and smirked slightly. "Harry wanted to talk to Professor Slughorn about something and told me and Neville to head up. Hermione left a bit before us, though. I'm surprised she isn't here." Ginny mused as she scanned the common room.
Ron felt worry and paranoia at the same time, Hermione was meant to have been here by now. Where was she? And then Ron thought of him, and before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "What about McLaggen?" He stammered.
Ginny turned slowly from her place on the staircase. "Cormac? I don't know. Why do you want to know about him?" Ginny asked, folding her arms.
Ron shrugged again. "Uh, I - I dunno. Just wondering." Merlin, if Ginny wasn't already suspicious about the fact he was down here so late, she definitely was now. But to his utter amazement, she chose not to implore him any further.
"Alright." She responded casually. "I'll be off to bed then." She finished before heading back up.
"'Night." Ron said absently as he leaned against the sofa, once again staring at the portrait.
Hermione mumbled the password at the woman in the portrait, she could hear the twinge of hostility within her own voice, but she was far too annoyed.
"Ooo, alright." The Fat Lady replied defensively. "Been a naughty boy, this one?" She teased, motioning to Cormac, who's arm was rather uncomfortably latched in Hermione's hold. Hermione didn't answer but instead huffed impatiently as she looked down the hallway. "Okay, okay. Deary me." The woman muttered as her frame swung open. Hermione would've been surprised to have found Ron sat on the sofa so late, if she wasn't so preoccupied.
"If I ever catch you doing that again, Cormac, I'll report it straight to Professor McGonagall." She threatened, letting go of him.
"Sorry, Granger. Jealousy can be a spiteful thing, can't it?" He asked teasingly, but Hermione was quite repulsed rather than cooled down by his jibe.
"As if!" She huffed incredulously. "Now, go to bed before you cause any more harm." Hermione ordered as Cormac wandered to the staircase.
"Make me, Granger." He spat with a grin, however he didn't stop to wait for a response, instead clambered up the stairs to the boys' dormitories.
"Ugh." She huffed as she crashed on the sofa beside Ron, who she was still confused to find here. Hermione shut her tired eyes momentarily before sitting up, her own curiosity nagging at her. "Ron, what are you doing here so late?"
"Well, hello to you too." He chuckled, folding his arms.
Hermione rolled her eyes before bringing her legs up to cross them on the sofa. Turning to face him, she could feel her patience deteriorating. "Seriously?" She persisted.
Ron shrugged and didn't meet her gaze. "Couldn't sleep."
Hermione scoffed. "I hope you're not thinking of taking up acting as a career, we'd be struggling to survive!" She exclaimed, heat rushing to her cheeks suddenly as she realised that she had used the word 'we'. She ignored it, hoping he didn't notice.
Ron clicked his tongue playfully at her joke before struggling to stifle a yawn. "You look far too exhausted for someone who can't sleep." Hermione observed.
"Yeah, maybe I'll just head up." He reasoned as he began to stand but Hermione stood up herself, intrigued by why he had really stayed up.
"Wait a moment." She asked. "Why were you down here, really? And tell me the truth, Ron."
"Dunno, bit bored I guess." He said, still failing to meet her eyes and shoving his hands in his pockets.
Ron nearly felt sick with anger as he saw, to his most astonishment, Hermione walk in with McLaggen in her hold. This was until Hermione started telling him off, which eased the monster inside of Ron. He could've punched McLaggen at how rude he was being towards her, Ron's fists even clenched as he made the 'make me' comment. But he cooled down as Hermione, in that very pretty dress sat beside him.
"What did that bastard do?" He asked, finally looking up at Hermione, trying to change the subject of why he was down here so late.
Hermione watched him sceptically. "I caught him on top of the stairs with a fourth year." She sighed.
"Fourth year?!" Ron gasped. "That perv." He spat.
"It's only two years, Ron. But it was far later than after hours. He should be setting an example now he's part of Professor Slughorn's club." Hermione countered.
Ron frowned at the fact she had defended him, and it took all of his strength to not ask why she had. "How was the party then?" He asked bitterly, scuffing his shoes on the carpet beneath them.
"Pretty boring, actually." Hermione sighed and looked down at the carpet herself, the moment Ron looked up again.
"Oh." He said, he was sort of pleased that it hadn't been that good, even though he knew how selfish it was of him. "What did Harry want with-"
"Look, Ron. I'm actually rather exhausted after dealing with Cormac so I think I'll go up to bed myself." Hermione interrupted, and walked towards the steps. "We'll talk tomorrow." She added.
"Oh, sorry, didn't realise dear Cormac was taking up all of your time." Ron said before he even realised, even he thought he was being childish. But he, too, was tired and it was clearly getting the better of him.
"I'm sorry?" She asked incredulously, her voice at least an octave higher.
Ron looked down again, shoving his hands back in his pockets. "Sorry." He muttered.
"Are you okay, Ron?" She asked softly, walking back down the steps to meet him.
No, Ron thought, not after his argument with Ginny a few nights ago after finding her with Dean. Ginny had revealed that Hermione did indeed snog Viktor Krum. Ever since then, Ron had felt all sorts of emotions he didn't know he had the capability to feel. Anger, regret, hurt, jealousy all roared inside of him. However, he knew that these feelings weren't justified. He didn't have the right, they were friends. Of course, he felt something a lot grander than friendship, but he knew that those feelings would never be reciprocated - much to his upset, but nevertheless he vowed to himself that she would never learn that he had found out about her and bloody Krum. That would give him away all too easily.
"Ron?" Hermione asked again, Ron blinked at her before he realised that she had asked him a simple question that he had taken an abnormally long time to dwell on.
"Uh - yeah, I'm fine, thanks. Just knackered, that's all."
Hermione looked at him with the same speculation in her face. "Are you sure you're okay?" She asked in all but a whisper as she touched his shoulder tentatively.
Bloody hell, did she have no idea what she was putting him through? No, of course not, Ron reminded himself before clearing his throat. "Yep." He mumbled as he continued to look at the floor.
Hermione stepped back from being almost inches away from his face. "Okay. Well, good night." She added before turning up the stairs, halting for a moment, then leaving again.
The way Ron had blurted out such a preposterous remark about her and Cormac gave Hermione the opportunity that she had been waiting for for days. He had been so off since catching Ginny with her boyfriend, Dean. Hermione rationalised that it was due to seeing his sister partake in something so - intimate - but Hermione would be lying if she didn't wonder if something else was bothering him. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful. As always, he just dismissed her and barely even looked at her when she tried to ask him a serious question, or have a serious conversation. It was one of the, very few albeit, traits that she wasn't so fond of. Retreating from exhaustion mixed with exasperation, Hermione gave up and left him, stopping only briefly to realise that she had been watching the entire exchange from a dark corner of the common room. Perfect, Hermione thought as she resumed her journey to bed, rolling her eyes when she knew she couldn't be seen.
Drawing the curtains around her bed, she fell back on the mattress, diving into the same wonders she had been tending to ever since the night that Ron had found Ginny and Dean. Even though she was incredibly tired, her mind wouldn't let her rest as she thought about how unusual Ron had been during the last few days, their last conversation only proving that more to her. Why had he been acting so differently? She asked herself almost a million times over. For the last few weeks, Hermione couldn't believe how happy she was, despite everything that was going on. She always went to bed unable to suppress the smile. Hermione felt awful on one hand, poor Harry was quite literally battling with his own mind whilst also trying to find out as much information as he possibly could on a certain dark piece of magic. Hermione had spent hours in the library trying to help him, but it was no use.
On the other hand, Hermione had been thoroughly enjoying her first couple of weeks as a sixth year. And there was only really one person to be held accountable. Her and Ron had never gotten on so well, and the feelings of want, desire, happiness, and another feeling Hermione wasn't quite ready to address even to herself yet, grew inside her, every time they were together. She had even invited him to Professor Slughorn's Christmas party, despite the fact it was weeks away. Who else would she want to go with? But ever since that evening with Ginny, something very blatantly changed in Ron, and Hermione could not work out for why. He had been rather sour when Hermione had first mentioned Slughorn's Christmas Party, but he never seemed to care much for their whole club, anyway. Maybe that's why he's acting so cold? Hermione thought to herself, but her musings were cut short after the noise of the dormitory door opening startled her and jerked her back to reality. Hermione knew exactly who it was that entered the millisecond that she registered that same giggle.
"Shhh, Lavender. The others are asleep!" The familiar voice of Pavarti Patil sounded, but despite her stern words, a giddiness was evident in her voice. Hermione was happy however, that they had deemed she was asleep.
Despite her best friend's warning, Lavender continued to giggle which Hermione found thoroughly frustrating. Hermione stirred, tossed and turned hoping that sleep would eventually consume her, but instead she was unwillingly listening to their giddy conversation.
"If you feel that strongly, Lav, why don't you just bloody do something about it? Go talk to him or something?" Pavarti's exasperated question lulled Hermione out of her near unconscious state, eyes snapping open as she awaited Lavender's response, as if she already knew who they were speaking of.
"It's not that easy, Pavarti!" Lavender squealed. "What if he doesn't like me back? What if he says no? I would be heartbroken!"
Hermione rolled her eyes at the melodramatics although she sat up slightly, resting on her forearms as she tried to listen closer. "No you wouldn't, Lav. You could surely do better than effing Ron Weasley, anyway." Pavarti said dismissively but evidently, Lavender was not happy with how casually her best friend was talking about something so serious.
"No, I could not!" Lavender gasped. Hermione had to use all of her might not to roll her eyes again, but at least this time she agreed with what Lavender was arguing. "Haven't you seen him lately? He's just beautiful. Those beautiful eyes, those beautiful freckles, and that hair! Oh my, Pavarti! The things I would do just to touch that hair..."
"Merlin, Lavender. I think you need to pay a visit to Madam Pomfrey with that look on your face! You look as if you've been put under a love potion." Pavarti chuckled. "It's as if you're in love with the boy." She teased further. However, Lavender did not register it as a joke.
"I do." Lavender said pointedly. Hermione struggled to hide a scoff. In love with him? Was she insane? Yes, he was beautiful, Hermione thought, although the sound of Lavender describing him as so made her stomach lurch and her jealousy heighten. But even if she had noticed all of those things about him, Lavender simply couldn't be in love with Ron. She hadn't spoken two words to him, Hermione reminded herself. She has no idea just how amazing he is beyond just what his hair feels like. Lavender doesn't know at all how it feels to be in his company, for hours at a time. How funny and kind he is. She has no idea, Hermione thought.
Pavarti seemed to find the claim quite ridiculous, too, as she laughed at Lavender. "Well, if you feel that strongly, actually talking to him for longer than five seconds might help." She teased.
"And how am I meant to do that with her around?" Lavender asked. Hermione tensed and could feel her heart beat quicken as she gathered that Lavender was talking about her. What does that mean? Hermione wondered, were other people noticing their closer proximity as of late?
"The last I heard she was seeing Viktor Krum." Pavarti dismissed. They were definitely talking about Hermione. She furrowed her eyebrows, were people really still talking about her and Viktor? They had never been 'seeing' each other.
"Well, she can keep her hands off Ron then." Lavender remarked snootily and a wave of resentment crashed over Hermione.
"Bloody hell, Lavender." Pavarti chortled. "I'm off to bed before you start planning each other's wedding!" She added and Hermione could hear curtains being drawn. Hermione lay back down, wondering who on earth Lavender thought she was to talk about Ron as if he was some sort of prized asset that Hermione had no right to touch. She was the one without a right. Hermione thought, angrily. But then she realised that, actually, Lavender had as much of a right as she did. Ron wasn't Hermione's, Ron wasn't anyone's. And with that solemn thought, Hermione fell into a very much awaited sleep.