FOR GRANTED

Chapter 10: Too many things in one day…

Hermione had been in bathroom still thinking over what Harry said and how the two of them found the entire thing funny. Hermione could feel tears forming in her eyes and she finally decided to let them set free since there was nobody there to see them. She kept thinking why she is taking it so harshly…when it's probably not a big deal. Well Ginny did tell her once, back in her fourth year that how the two of them found it extremely funny that Hermione was asked out. At that time she was annoyed a little but now the feeling finally sunk in – they probably don't think I am good looking enough. She already dealt with Harry's choice of beauties but then Ron was no less…he went for even prettier lot, he had a crush on Fleur then Lavender – a perfect blonde beauty who was followed around by half the school, then there is Madam Rosemerta, another beautiful lady and now its probably Gabrielle from the looks of it.

Meanwhile back in Ron's room, Harry finally got up a little on his elbows and looked at Ron very curiously. Ron who had been unaware of it finally looked up to see Harry staring at him, to which Ron raised an eyebrow and asked "What?"

Harry fidgeted a little…trying to smooth out the bed covers and at the same time trying to avoid looking at Ron directly – started talking "hmmm something I've been meaning to ask you…well been thinking about for some time…I thought .. well I was thinking that may be you would … well you know tell me about it yourself since we don't really hide anything from each other but then … err so I was … well what I am …."

"HARRY! You are rambling and not making any sense, is everything ok? It's me Ron…your friend so no need to blabber; just ask away and get over with it…" Ron said impatiently.

Harry got really embarrassed and finally nodded his head … "OK then! So here it is Ron…Doufancyhemine?" Harry asked this really fast and was all red in face,

"Come Again? I didn't get that Harry…you are blushing as if you are trying to ask me out on a date..." said Ron with a good laugh.

Harry laughed too … "Dream on Ron! You are not my type…anyway what I was trying to ask was …well Do You Fancy Hermione?" Harry asked again, a little boldly than last time.

Ron who was taken a back with this question…something he was definitely not expecting…not even in his wildest dreams he imagined Harry and himself discussing their third friend like this. Ron stopped folding his clothes and ran a hand through his hair, he was confused, didn't know how to go about answering the question…"Well Harry to be honest I don't really know. I know the two of us have been acting weird around each other and all...We have…well she is……OK now! Back in fourth year; You see the thing is – I was jealous when she dated Krum and that's not really because she dated another guy but the fact that she was on a date with a celebrity, I am sorry but on one hand it was you being the champion and then there was Hermione – the two of you in the spotlight when I was nowhere to be noticed even, not to mention the pathetic robes I wore…Harry…since you are closest to me than anyone…well you and Hermione both … but I can't tell this to Hermione…you see I just like the feeling of being fancied by her…"

Ron looked up at Harry as if waiting for some sort of statement from Harry, only to see Harry trying to mentally figure out something on his own…he finally looked up at Ron…"I know there is more you want to say so tell me everything Ron then I'll talk" – said Harry.

Ron nodded and put another item of clothing in the bag…"As I said Harry I liked the idea of being fancied by Hermione. I don't like it if she goes out with anyone not that there is a long list of such guys but I just don't like it. I didn't mind Nevill asking her out though…and something tells me if the two of them dated … even then I won't mind. It's just that I don't know why I can't accept the idea of Hermione snogging someone else, when I am not. I know it's very shallow of me but I ...well…I don't know what I am trying to say Harry…I like Hermione, I really love her but I think it's all as in friends… I treasure the fact that she chose me over you (Ron thought but didn't say out loud…and mentally slapped himself for thinking this way). I don't see the two of us ever dating or even kiss. I realized until recently that I am at an age where I can't be with just one girl, coz I keep having crushes left and right….so yes I don't think I fancy her like that…I mean I wouldn't want to risk my friendship with her by asking her out even though I know she fancies me and blimey that is a big boost to my ego…I know if I ask her out she will gladly accept but knowing myself I know I will probably have roaming eye for other fish in the sea…No! Man I don't think I can afford to fancy Hermione…and I think that's pretty much summons up everything Harry …you can talk now" Ron finished with a smile and went back to packing.

"How do you know that Hermione fancies you?" asked Harry

Ron looked at Harry as if he has gone mental…"Ginny … who else could it be! Hermione tells Ginny everything…you know girls talking…discussing boys … Hermione can't do that with us much so she has Ginny for that part…I think in our fifth year she told me about it…"

Harry who found this odd because he was recalling the conversation he overheard earlier that day between Ginny and Hermione. If he wasn't wrong then it was Ginny who told Hermione that Ron fancies her…

"So did you ever by any chance tell Ginny that you fancied Hermione?" Harry asked trying to act casual.

Ron looked up and gave a weird look to Harry…"No man! Why would I do that? I wouldn't go to my family with my secrets … I prefer sharing them with you two…u know you and Hermione…" Ron said with a genuine smile. "Why…why do you ask?"

"Oh! Nothing…just thought may be you did….Anyway I am glad we had this conversation, I don't want to have awkward moments like last year anymore. I don't want any more fights between the three of us … specially the two of you…this time Ron … you better behave yourself with her and no fighting with her…" Harry said in mock anger and decided not to tell him about the little lies his sister had been telling.

"Ok Mum…whatever you say" Ron replied and the two laughed again…

"Where is she anyway…oh btw Harry… it's not like it's always me who is getting in to fights with her … if I remember correctly you do it too … and quite often as well. I mean you are irritated by her bossy attitude pretty easily, oh yes and you definitely take most of your frustrations out by snubbing her or by ignoring her…" said Ron.

"Hey I do no such thing … she is pretty bossy at times that irritate me but things are not as bad as they are between the two of you…" argued Harry and chucked a pillow at Ron.

Ron ducked and replied by throwing a dirty pair of sock at Harry…"Yeah Right Harry! You easily get irritated by her…you can be pretty rude too…I can still remember all the years we've spent together…you have been upset with her more than you have been with me. You forgive me easily while you give her a tough time…the two of us that is Hermione and I are more vocal that's why we get the blame but you are no better, you are same too … its only more of silent treatment from your end and if you ask me that is even worse…Admit it Harry…she is our punching bag…our own personal punching bag…I wouldn't want to change that for the world … I would never allow for her to be any one else's punching bag…never Harry…she is our best friend and we love her for being her" Ron said the last part as if in some kind of deep thought.

Harry who had never really given it a thought, finally realized what Ron meant…he had been horrible to her without realizing it; both of them have been treating her like a punching bag and she stuck by them even then…Amazing girl that Hermione is. I really have been rude with her at times and she still stuck by me through everything….

While both of them were quietly thinking things over…a knock drew them out of their thought process, only to see Charlie Weasley at the door…"Hey where's Hermione? Done packing bro? "Asked Charlie

"Almost done! Hermione left to do some last minute adjustments to her packing…so she is probably in Ginny's room…Why?" said Ron.

"Oh well, she needs to get her wounds checked up and probably a change of bandages…since she is leaving with you guys so she better get and learn the required stuff for them from St. Mungoes coz it won't be easy for her to access St. Mungoes everyday for the dressing of her wounds from Harry's place", Charlie said that and left for Ginny's room.

The two followed him there and found Hermione just coming out of the bathroom…Charlie hurriedly filled her in on the whole thing so she agreed…Hermione ignored both Harry and Ron throughout the conversation that took place between her and Charlie. Both Harry and Ron then volunteered to accompany Hermione with Charlie…Hermione didn't really show any emotion over their decision which didn't go unnoticed by Harry or Ron and finally the four of them left.

Charlie had noticed the whole exchange…and decided to ask Ron and Harry about it later. Once the healers took Hermione inside, Charlie turned towards the two and asked if the three of them had a row or something like that?

Both shook their heads and Ron spoke…"NO! In fact we've not had any arguments for a very long time now…she started acting weird only ….well I think …I think when I started packing…right Harry?"

And Harry nodded … "I think Ron she didn't like your accusation" said Harry

"What accusation…what do you mean? " Asked Ron; totally clueless.

Before Harry could reply … Charlie shook his head disbelievingly … "Don't tell me Ron … you accuse her of something and then you don't even remember it?"

Harry immediately said …"Well it was not really an accusation on her…Ron sort of said something to me that involved her …" Harry then told Charlie about the whole thing that lead Ron to accuse the two of them being together.

"What did you say to that Harry?" Charlie asked with some sort of hope in his voice.

"Well I obviously told him NO…since that's the truth…Why would I even fancy Hermione… it's so bizarre"…continued Harry.

Charlie who had been listening to all this … just looked at the two of them with open mouth…"Please don't tell me Harry you said that while Hermione was there?"…Charlie asked with a sinking heart.

"I did … why? She even agreed with me and told Ron that there was nothing like that…there was nothing harsh that happened…if anything Ron and I ended up having a good laugh over it…Right Ron….?" Said Harry

"Right you are Harry…right you are…the whole thing was funny…just like remember how I told you about Neville asking Hermione out … the first ever boy who probably planned to ask her out … "replied Ron and the two friends shared another hearty laughter over that memory.

Charlie was fuming now…"You feeling-less, mindless GITS…DON'T YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU GUYS DID"? Charlie said a bit louder than the likes of nurses on that floor.

Ron and Harry just stood still and shook their heads slowly…."You practically called her a HAG…then to add fuel to fire…you laughed over it and by the looks of it you guys have done this before as well … I don't believe this…How can you be so dumb…Ron I understand…but you too Harry?" said Charlie.

Harry and Ron who never realized and still didn't get it, just sat silently…Harry too was having his first real conversation with Charlie…and he noticed one thing the temper runs in the family. Charlie could see the dense looks on their faces so explained them how they offended Hermione.

"oh ok…I doubt that though Charlie…we know her more than you do and Hermione is not like other girls…right Harry?"

"yeah … she is not in to girly things like makeup…she is not in to quidditch but apart from that she is more of a book smart … well more of an intellectual person than made up thing" said Harry.

Charlie shook his head… "The two of you sure take that friend of yours for a ride. She deserves so much better, you two just don't realize it how lucky you are. From the looks of it I don't think it will ever happen – the way you two act…… real shame!" after saying this he got up to get some tea, he looked back at them and was about to say more but decided against it. Ron and Harry stared after him with an astonished look.

"Do you think he fancies Hermione?" Ron elbowed Harry.

Harry just shook his head disbelievingly and then turned towards the room where Hermione had gone and felt guilty because he realized that Charlie had been right but he didn't want to disagree with Ron.