Chapter Six – WHO IS THAT GIRL?
True to her word, Hermione was up at 5am and made a huge stack of her famous pancakes. Ron always loved it when she made pancakes. She put some coffee on to brew, and headed upstairs to tell Harry and Ron that breakfast was ready. Climbing the stairs, Hermione couldn't remember when they last ate breakfast together. She knocked on Harry's door, and Harry appeared behind it within moments.
"Breakfast is served, Mr Potter" Hermione said.
"Herm, you're a goddess, you know that?" Harry answered before heading downstairs.
"Just one more service I offer" Hermione called out to Harry.
Hermione turned to walk further down the corridor to Ron's room. She gently knocked on the door and waited for a reply. Nothing. "Ron? Ron it's time to wake up. Ron?" she continued to knock. But there was no response. Hermione put her hand on the door knob and gently opened the door.
Once inside Ron's room, Hermione walked straight over to his bed and sat down on the edge. It was only when she placed a hand delicately on his shoulder that Hermione realised Ron wasn't wearing a shirt. "Ron. Ron, your pancakes are ready. You need to get up and have breakfast and come to training." Hermione spoke gently, and Ron stirred a little.
Seeing her not only in his room but sitting on his bed, Ron let out an almost inaudible groan. "Why didn't you just knock?" Ron said, grabbing the covers and pulling them up to his chin. But the damage had been done. Hermione had seen him half naked.
If she cared to admit it, Hermione enjoyed the encounter on Ron's bed. She knew he had been working out to keep in peak physical shape, but she had no idea how 'built' Ron was. He's got the body of a God Hermione thought, not knowing exactly where the thought had come from. She was half disappointed that he had woken up. "I did knock, Ron." Hermione sounded a little more defensive than she would have liked to, "But you didn't wake up. And I know you'd kick yourself if you were late so I came in here to wake you." Hermione stood up from the bed and crossed to Ron's door. "Perhaps you should get up, get dressed, and come and have breakfast. I made pancakes." She said as she closed the door behind her.
Ron let the covers fall back down around his waist. He looked down and realised that he had become slightly aroused by the fact that Hermione had been sitting on his bed. What in Merlin's name is that all about? Ron thought to himself. Willing himself to get over it, Ron jumped out of bed and threw on his training robes. He crossed the hall to the bathroom to brush his teeth, and noticed that the bathroom smelt of Vanilla. Hermione had been there. Ron always loved the way she smelled. Brushing his teeth, he headed downstairs.
"Morning sleepy head" Harry joked as Hermione handed Ron a plate of pancakes and a cup of coffee.
"Shut up Potter" Ron said to Harry and then turned to Hermione and said "Thanks. What would we ever do without you?"
The trio sat around their dining table eating heartily, drinking the strong coffee Hermione had made, and talked about Hogford's chances in the match.
"It'll be the hardest match of the season so far for sure" Harry said. "Northbridge are an excellent team. They have a few national reps in their team. But I think we might be able to take them."
"They're only unbeaten this season because they haven't played us yet" Ron added.
Hermione loved watching Harry and Ron talking about Quidditch. They were as consumed with is as she was with reading and studying. She smiled at the enthusiasm they displayed and was genuinely looking forward to watching them train that day.
"We have to get going, guys" she said, reluctantly, "We can't have you late for training."
The trio left and walked in the direction of the practice pitch. They all abided by the university's rule of no excessive use of magic by not apparating to the pitch. They arrived within a few minutes, and Ron showed Hermione where the spectators usually sat, before joining Harry and the rest of their teammates as they arrived in the dressing room.
Hermione sat down in the small section of stand open to spectators, and took out her book. She thought that she would get a bit of reading done before the practice started. She managed to read 3 pages before the team flew out. Hermione closed her book and placed it in her bag, before clapping and 'woo-hooing' the players. Hermione was the only spectator that day. Apparently the girlfriends and boyfriends of the players had decided that 6am was too early a start to go along for support.
"Who is that girl?" Caleb, the team captain asked his players.
"That's our roommate" Ron replied.
"She's keen" Caleb said as he flew over to where Ron was hovering. "Is she single?"
"No, mate, sorry. She's already with someone" Ron replied.
"Shame. She's hot as hell" Caleb said as he flew off and began taking his players through their warm-up drills.
Ron hovered on his broom and looked up at Hermione. She noticed his gaze on her and waved to him. He returned the wave and had no idea of the goofy smile on his face.
"Weasley? You planning on joining us?" Caleb called out, breaking Ron's train of thought.
"Yeah, coming" Ron said, flying off to join the rest of the team.
The team trained solidly through till after 9am. Hermione hadn't even noticed that she was late for her morning class. She was so enthralled with watching the game. Admit it, Hermione, she thought to herself, it's not the game you're watching, it's Ron. Hermione cupped her hand over her mouth, somehow thinking that it would stop the thoughts occurring. She giggled, wondering if Declan was right after all. When it came to boys, Declan was usually right. He had steered her away from dating the wrong kinds of men, and in the direction of a few that were right. However, she hadn't really wanted to date the right kind of men. Something had always held her back. Maybe it's Ron she thought to herself.
She was still in a bit of a daze when Ron and Harry approached her. "Herm, is everything ok?" Harry asked, snapping Hermione's attention.
"Oh, Harry, Ron, just lost in thought I guess. You know me." Hermione said, hoping that Ron and Harry would buy the excuse.
"Yeah, well, you're late for class." Ron said, looking down at his watch.
"Damn it," Hermione said, gathering up her bag, "I'd better go. I'll see you around 12pm, ok Ron?"
"Yeah. See you then." He replied
Hermione rushed off to class and Harry and Ron walked slowly in the direction of their class.
"That was weird" Harry said.
"What was?" Ron asked, no idea what Harry was on about.
"Hermione. I've not seen her look distracted like that in years. What do you suppose is up?" Harry asked.
"She's working too hard, for one." Ron said, "But that's nothing new is it. Got no idea what's bothering her. You?"
Harry smiled before saying "Nah, mate. I'm as in the dark as you are. Come on, let's get to class."
Ron and Harry arrived at their class to find that their professor had cancelled the lecture. She was unwell, and would owl them all the notes from the lesson she was planning to give them. They floo-ed back to their apartment, and Harry took the first shower while Ron decided what he would wear to meet Hermione.
When dressing in the morning, Ron would usually just grab whatever looked relatively clean from the floor and chuck it on. But for some reason, he was determined to look neat and tidy that day. He found a pair of jeans hanging in his wardrobe and grabbed his Gryffindor Quidditch Champions polo t-shirt. Stretching university rules, Ron took out his wand and muttered an incantation that washed and ironed his top. He laid his clothes neatly on his bed and grabbed a pair of runners and clean socks and underwear and placed them on the bed next to his jeans.
"Shower is free" Harry called out, and Ron crossed the hallway to the bathroom. He took out his razor, deciding he seriously needed a shave, and laid it on the bench in the bathroom before striping off and getting into the shower. The water was refreshing, and Ron stepped out of the shower feeling totally invigorated. He shaved and wondered if he should get a haircut. Come off it, Weasley he thought to himself, that's going too far.
Stepping back into his room, Ron noticed that it was only just 10am. He dressed and headed downstairs to continue working on his assignment. Hermione would be proud of you he thought to himself, and smiled at the thought. Sitting down, Ron began to work.
"You're late again, Granger" Declan whispered as he took his seat next to Hermione.
"I know, ridiculous isn't it?" she replied, smiling at him.
"What have you been doing? You're half an hour late." He said, knowing that, to Hermione, 5 minutes late was a mortal sin.
"I went to watch Harry and Ron training for the big game on Saturday." She said, knowing Declan would have a field day with that piece of information.
"Quidditch, huh?" He said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, Dec, Quidditch. You know, the sport with the brooms, and the 3 different types of balls. I hear it's quite popular" Hermione replied sardonically as she began writing out the lecture notes. She completely missed the look of triumph on Declan's face, but it was impossible for her to miss the note that he put on her parchment:
Silly me, thinking he loves you. I was mistaken. It's you that loves him
Hermione rolled her eyes, wondering exactly when she was transported back to high school.
Yes, I love him. He's one of my best friends. I love him like I love you, and Harry, and Ginny. What's your point?
Declan suppressed a laugh before writing back:
No point really. By the way, you look hot today.
Hermione smiled and wrote:
Really. You think so?
Declan couldn't contain his laughter as he wrote:
Why are you so interested?
Hermione blushed as she read his words. Perhaps she took a bit of pride in her appearance that morning. Perhaps a little more than she usually did.
Declan had taken back the paper and had written more on the sheet. Hermione read:
If he bothered to have a shower, he's interested. If he shaved, he loves you.
Hermione giggled and wrote back:
You are one misguided man, Declan Kennedy.
The rest of the lecture passed without incident, and the class were given an early mark. "Well, I'd best be off. I'm meeting Jack for lunch today" Declan said with a mischievous smile.
"You sure work fast" Hermione said, giggling.
"No point wasting time. I'm not going to be young and devilishly handsome forever, you know" he replied, winking at her.
Declan pulled her in for a hug and kissed her on the cheek before taking her hands in his and saying "Now, you behave yourself. No making out or shagging in the library, ok?"
"Dec, how could you say such a thing?" Hermione protested.
"Because you love me, and you'll forgive me. Now, give me a call when you get in and tell me all the sordid details" Declan said impishly.
Neither Declan nor Hermione noticed that Ron was heading towards them, and Declan began walking away. After he had taken a few steps he turned and walked backwards yelling out "I love you Hermione."
"Love you too, Dec. Have fun." Hermione called out in response.
"You're early" Hermione heard a voice beside her say, and she turned around to see Ron standing there next to her. She hoped he hadn't heard Declan's 'shagging in the library' comment.
"We got out of class early. What about you? You're early too" she said, quietly.
"Professor cancelled class today. She's sick. Anyway, I got some more work done. I think you'll be proud of me. But come on, let's eat. I'm starving" Ron replied, grabbing Hermione by the hand and walking in the direction of the dining hall.
As they ate, they talked. Mainly about Harry and Ginny. Ron told Hermione that Arthur and Molly had agreed to let Ginny stay for the weekend of the ball. Hermione said she was delighted and she really missed Ginny being around.
"It was always easier to deal with you and Harry when Ginny was around to help me" Hermione said, and Ron was taken aback.
"It sounds like you're not happy living with us. If it's that awful ..." Ron said but was cut off by Hermione.
"I never said I wasn't happy with you guys. Honestly, there isn't anywhere else I'd rather live than with you two. You're my best friends" Hermione said, smiling.
"What about Declan? Thought about moving in with him?" Ron asked, knowing that was probably too personal a question to ask over lunch.
"Declan? I love Declan dearly, but there is no way that I could live with him. Not a chance. We'd be at one another's throats constantly, and probably wind up hating one another within days. I'd probably think about killing him." Hermione said, laughing to herself that Declan had suggested the same thing the previous day.
"So it would be kind of like having to live with me?" Ron suggested.
"Ron, I enjoy having you around, you know that. Plus how would you and Harry cope with all your class work if I ever moved out?" Hermione said, finishing off the plate of pasta she had in front of her.
"Touché." Ron replied as he too finished off his meal. "Come on, I hear the library calling out my name. Let's get going."
Hermione smiled, picked up her bag, and walked with Ron towards the library.