Biology
"Oh my god Hermione! Guess who's just asked me to the summer ball?"
I smiled. I had hoped Seamus would ask Parvati to the ball after I'd suggested it to him in the library; but for Parvati's sake, I pretended to play along.
"I don't know," I replied innocently, "who?"
"Seamus!" she shouted excitedly, "can you believe it? Oh I'm so happy! But-you don't mind right? I mean, it's not gonna be wierd? Cause I had a feeling Seamus might've wanted to ask you..."
"No no, it's absolutely fine," I assured her cheerfully, no need to tell her that Seamus had already asked me, "I'm really happy for you."
Parvati pulled me into a big hug, "oh thankyou Hermione, you're such a good friend, I don't know what I would-hey! You didn't speak to Seamus did you?" she pulled away and looked at me hopefully.
I shrugged, "I didn't have to say very much," I replied truthfully.
"You didn't?" she asked, astounded.
"No," I said. Parvati looked like she might keel over; really, all this fuss over a boy? But then, a distinct image of a specific person flashed up in my mind, and I immediately clenched that thought.
The morning bell began to ring, and I bid farewell to Parvati as we departed the parking lot, where we had been having our conversation.
The day progressed at a fairly enjoyable rate; Seamus seemed equally as happy as Parvati about his decision to ask her to the summer ball, and was now planning a group outing for the upcoming weekend.
"Stoatshead Hill!" he said excitedly to me in English, "what do you think? You in?"
"Should I know what Stoatshead Hill is?" I asked curiously.
"It's the hill on the other side of town," answered Neville from the desk behind us, "It's one of the biggest hills in the county, and it's got an amazing view once you've trekked up it!"
I grimaced; I really was not what you would call and outdorsy type of person. But, I had an overwhelming urge to spend some time with my friends; it felt so nice to be able to refer to them in that way! So, swallowing my irrational worries, I cheerfully consented, causing huge grins to spread across Seamus' and Neville's faces.
Biology had gone back to being a silent session between Ron and I. It was the one lesson I didn't enjoy being in, however it was the only lesson I ever felt a sense of eagerness for, and I knew only too well that it nothing to do with the lesson itself; it was the fact that I would be able to see Ron. How pathetic a thought?
Sirius cornered me during dinner when he came home from work that night; he accused me of not informing him of the crucial fact that a fellow student had prevented me from being crushed by Dean Thomas' van.
"I guess it just slipped my mind," I said quietly, knowing full well that it hadn't, and that the reason why I decided not to inform Sirius of this fact, was due to his already eratic behaviour towards an injury that I hadn't even gained!
Sirius still didn't let the subject drop: "So come on then, who was it?"
"You don't know who it was?"
"Nope, I just heard that you'd been pulled out of the way by someone who deserves a bloody good pat on the back by me,"
I sighed, "it was Ron Weasley."
"Really? Ron Weasley," Sirius sniffed, "well that doesn't overly suprise me; he and his family are some of the best citizens this town's got."
"Really?" I asked, suprised, "well he certainly doesn't set a good example when he's in school."
Sirius ignored me and went into the lounge to watch the latest baseball game. I cleaned up all the dirty dishes, then headed upstairs to read.
The following morning, I woke up early after experiencing a rather graphic dream, involving Ron disappearing in front of my eyes into thin air. Ever since I had beared witness to the impossible method Ron used in which to stop the van, my mind had been riddled with thought as to what he could be. And after the dream I had just perceived, my conscience was filled with the suspicion that Ron and his family might not actually be human...
School was crowded when I arrived there. Seamus happily informed me that everybody in our group was able to attend the outing to Stoatshead Hill, and my excitement for it seemed to increase everytime anyone spoke of it throughout the morning.
I kept my eyes fixed upon the Weasley family as I walked into the canteen; my brain was furiously analysing them for anything that might give some hint as to what they were. It had no luck. Although, as I was placing some food onto a plate, about to head over to my table, I felt someone tap me softly on the shoulder; I spun round, knocking my apple off my plate and onto the floor; it was Ron.
"Edible art," he commented towards my plate of food, as he bent down and returned the apple to the side of my tray.
"What do you want?" I asked him rudely.
"Just came over to say hello," he shrugged innocently, "that's what friends do right?"
"I thought you didn't want to be my friend."
Ron shook his head: "I only said it would be better if we weren't friends, not that I didn't want to be."
"You know you still haven't told me what you mean by that," I snapped, turning away from him, although inside my heart was doing backflips.
"No you're right I haven't," he said, walking alongside me, I stared at him curiously.
"Don't you normally sit over there with your family?"
"Yeah I do," he said cheerfully, "but I was wondering if um, you would like to sit with me today?"
I blinked twice; "pardon?"
"Jeez, you're not very good at picking things up are you?" said Ron increduously, he repeated himself, "I was wondering whether you would like to sit with me today?"
I stared at him. On the one hand, I remembered that I was supposed to absoutely hate this red headed charmer who was currently standing in front of me, but on the other, there was nothing I wanted more right now than to sit and eat lunch with him. So, without quite realising I'd done it, I nodded.
Ron grinned, and led us over to an emtpy table at the other end of the canteen. Just as I expected, both my friends and the Weasley family began to openly stare in shock.
"So," said Ron, after we had sat down; he gestured to my plate of food, "tuck in."
"Are you not hungry?"
"Nah, I'll have something later," he shrugged. We sat in silence for a few minutes while I took bites out of my pizza; it was very off putting trying to eat whilst Ron was watching my every move.
"Are you sure you don't want some of mine?" I offered.
"No, no," he waved his hand, "you eat it Hermione, you look like you need it more than I do."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked sternly.
"That you're as skinny as a twig, and you need some nutrition inside of you," said Ron earnestly, gesturing to my figure.
"Well I hate to point it out to you, but you're not as buff as you like to think you are!"
"Why? Been checking me out?" he asked cockily.
"No!" I lied, my face becoming an instant giveaway.
Ron chuckled.
"So, what's brought this on?" I asked, quickly changing the subject.
Ron looked like he was pondering on it for a few minutes.
"Ahh you're just one of those people who makes it up as they go along," I commented bitterly.
"No," he replied calmly, "I was wondering how best to answer you."
"Well let me know when you've got it figured out," I teased, looking at him expectantly.
A couple more minutes passed.
"Ok," he said finally, " For starters, I've been feeling really bad about what I said to you the other day on that field trip, and I wanted to say sorry for my behaviour."
I nodded, "apology accepted, providing it doesn't happen again."
Ron smiled, "does this now mean that we can at least be friends?" he asked hopefully.
My heart stuttered, "yes, I suppose so," I smiled.
Ron mirrored my action. However I sensed there was something more he wanted to say, so I gestured for him to continue.
"Also," he resumed slowly, "I've noticed you staring at me and my family quite a bit, what's that for?"
I smiled knowingly, he folded his arms on the table, I leaned towards him.
"I told you I was going to try and find out what you are," I said seriously,
He grinned, "had any luck with that yet?"
"Maybe a little, I've got some theories."
"Really? I love theories, tell us one."
"No," I blushed and looked down at my hands resting on the table.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Because you'll laugh at me," I said shyly.
"No I won't," he said softly.
"You will,"
"Won't,"
"Will"
"Won't!"
"Will!"
"Won't!"
We both stopped and half glared, half smiled at each other.
"Ok then," said Ron, "why don't you tell me one later on instead, cause if you don't," he warned," I'll just assume that you haven't got the brains to come up with any."
"Yes I have!" I replied indignantly. Ron grinned, causing my heart to falter, and rose from his seat.
"Bored with me now are you?"
"Nope, but the bell's about to go in a minute, and I'm guessing you won't wanna be late for class," he said simply.
"Late for class?" I stood up too and looked round; the canteen was practically empty, "goodness," I whispered.
"How time flies when you're having fun," smiled Ron, handing me my food tray.
"Thankyou," I took it from him.
"So I'll guess I'll see you tomorrow then Hermione,"
"Why tomorrow? We've got Biology next," I said.
"Yeah well, I've decided to ditch class this afternoon," he said honestly.
"What!" I was astounded, "you can't possibly ditch class, that's breaking the rules!"
"So blab on me," shrugged Ron.
I opened my mouth to respond, but I just ended up gaping like a fish. As though on cue, the afternoon bell started to ring, but I stayed frozen where I was.
"Well aren't you going then?" said Ron pointedly.
"Why are you planning to ditch class?"
"I dunno, it's just something I fancy doing, why? Do you wanna join me?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Knew you'd say that."
I continued to stare at him, for some reason I was struggling to find the willpower in order to walk away, my entire being yearned to stay with him. Ron didn't move anywhere either, but he was looking at me curiously.
"Well, if I'd known the sort of effect ditching would have on you, I certainly wouldn't have told you," he commented, chuckling.
"You know you're breaking school rules by doing this."
"Yes," he said, "but that's my choice. If I wanna break rules, I'll break the rules. If you don't want to break rules, then I suggest you get yourself over to that science block pretty swiftly."
I threw a very disappointed look at him, before turning and depositing my leftover food in the nearest bin; I made my way towards the door, Ron was starting to head off in another direction, but just as I pushed open the canteen door, he called to me.
"Have you got a strong stomach?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" I shouted, as we were now standing at opposite ends of the canteen.
"Just think you ought to be prepared!"
"Prepared for what?"
"You'll see!" he waggled his eyebrows knowingly, I stuck my tongue out at him and walked towards Biology.
I arrived just as the late bell went. As I sat down at my desk, I caught sight of Seamus watching me curiously, I smiled at him and then turned to face the front of the class, where Mr Snape was stood brandishing a set of needles; my stomach lurched at the sight of them- I hated needles.
"Right," he said when all the class had fallen silent, "today we're going to find out what blood type you lot are, now I want you to take a needle, push it into your middle finger, and collect the blood in one of these petri dishes, which I will give to you in a moment. When you've managed to do that, come up to me and I will teach you how to work out your blood type, got it? Away you go!"
The rest of the class jumped up to retrieve a needle; I stayed in my seat, completely motionless, waiting for the yelps of pain to start.
They did not disappoint; within five minutes the room was filled with the sounds of people moaning and cursing, I was struggling to cope with it. The sight of people's blood was causing my head to become dizzy and my stomach started doing somersaults. I rested my cheek against the cool, soothing surface of the desk, the dizzyness faded a little. Right, so this is what he meant by asking me if I had a strong stomach, I thought annoyingly. I closed my eyes and began to drift off...
"Miss Granger? Miss Granger are you alright dear? You're looking a bit pale."
I opened my eyes regrettably; Snape was stood over me with a petri dish full of blood in his hand. I clasped my hand over my mouth to stop myself from retching.
"Can someone please take Miss Granger to the nurse!" Snape called. I didn't have to look to know that it would be Seamus who volunteered.
"You'll feel better soon Miss Granger," said Snape kindly, as Seamus helped me to stand up and placed my arm around his shoulder so that I would not lose my balance; the dizzyness was practically dominating my eyesight.
We walked slowly out of Biology and stepped onto the path. I gulped in a deep breath of fresh air, and Seamus immediately stopped.
"What's the matter Hermione? Are you going to be sick?"
"Mmmm," was all I could say. I detached myself from his hold, and sat down on the edge of the pathway; the coolness of it felt so lovely that I leaned down and rested my cheek against it.
Seamus stood there, not quite knowing what to do. Honestly, he must've thought me a total wierdo!
"Hermione?" I heard a familiar voice approaching; I groaned and squeezed my eyelids shut.
"Go away!"I mumbled; no one heard me.
"I'm taking her to the nurse," said Seamus defensively.
" Yeah looks like it. What the hell's wrong with her?"
"She fainted because of the blood typing we're doing in Biology, the lesson which you're supposed to be in!" retorted Seamus.
Ron laughed, and the next thing I knew, I was being lifted up off the cool pathway by a pair of strong arms.
"Put me down!" I moaned.
"Hello to you too!" said Ron, his voice full of what sounded like relief, "You alright?"
"Fine! Now put me back!"
"Ah you see I'm afraid I can't do that, you're supposed to be going to the nurse."
"Well I can make my own way there, I don't need you to carry me!"
"Well tough tits, I'm already holding you," said Ron chirpily, and he began walking in the direction of the treatment room.
"Hey!" shouted Seamus, "I'm the one who's meant to take her!"
"Well come on then!" returned Ron, who was whistling as he carried me with what appeared to be not much effort.
"Buff git!" I mumbled into his chest.
"Sorry Hermione, didn't quite hear that," said Ron teasingly; he sounded like he was fighting the urge not to laugh.
"Get lost!" I retorted, Seamus chuckled.
"You know, I bet you regret saying that I wasn't all that buff earlier, my super macho strength is coming in quite handy now isn't it?"
"No! And I don't regret saying it!"
"Bet you do!" replied Ron.
I rolled my eyes, but obviously Ron didn't see. I was beginning to feel rather comfortable in his arms; safe and protected, just the way I felt when he saved me from falling over at the greenhouses.
We made it to the Treatment room in very little time; the nurse flew into a state of panic when she saw pale faced me being carried in by Ron.
"Oh my goodness! What's happened?" she said hysterically.
"It's alright," grunted Ron, laying me gently down onto the small bed in the corner of the room, I snapped my eyes shut and I swear I heard him laughing quietly, "she fainted in Biology."
"There's always one," the nurse said more calmly. She bent over me, "how're you feeling dear?"
"A lot better now," I opened my eyes, the room was no longer out of focus.
"Well, if you just lie there for a few minutes, I'll go fetch you an ice pack," she turned towards Ron and Seamus, who were both stood against the wall, "what about you two? Are you supposed to go back to class now?"
"I'm meant to stay with her," said Ron confidently. Seamus looked at him angrily.
"Right, well I guess that means you can head back to your lesson," the nurse said to him.
"But-I" Seamus began to stutter.
"No buts young man, I'm sure the young lady will be perfectly fine with this strapping young lad here," replied the nurse, and with that she escorted Seamus outside the treatment room. Ron stood looking exceedingly smug.
I shot a death glare at him.
"That wasn't a very nice thing to do."
"Yeah well he gets on my nerves," sniffed Ron, "You'd be better off without him."
"Well in my opinion there are a couple of people I would be better off without," I looked at him pointedly, his expression appeared to be hurt. I sighed, and looked up at the ceiling. He needn't worry, I thought miserably.
The nurse returned with an ice pack, which she made me hold on my forehead for a full fifteen minutes; which gave it time to make my whole face go numb.
"How're you feeling?" asked Ron, when the nurse finally allowed me to sit back up.
"Fine," I replied tiredly; as though to confirm this feeling, my mouth streched out into a massive yawn.
"Ooh dear," said the nurse, "I think it would be best if we sent you home early, fainting spells often cause long periods of tiredness."
"Oh ok," I mumbled, not in much of a mood to argue.
"Will you be ok getting home?"
"I'll take her," said Ron quickly, "I know where she lives."
"Very kind of you dear," said the nurse. She helped support me as I stumbled off the bed, and then headed out of the room with Ron right behind me.
"Right!" he said, once we were out of sight of the nurse's authorative glare, "home! Alright for some!"
I sighed, and then proceeded towards the parking lot; Ron walked very close to me, as though he was afraid I might lose my balance at any moment- mind you, I wasn't exactly moving in the straightest of lines.
When we reached the lot, I bid farewell to Ron and began to make my way towards my truck. But a hand suddenly grabbed the back of my jacket and flung me backwards.
"Were you not listening in there? Didn't you hear me promise that I will take you straight home?"
"I thought you were just saying that to make the nurse happy," I replied, the strength in my voice returning.
"Well for your information I wasn't," he said sternly, still keeping ahold of my jacket.
"Oh come on I'm fine now! Please let me drive my truck."
"No. It's dangerous to drive whilst you're tired."
"I am not tired!" I retorted loudly, but as if to deliberately annoy me, my mouth let out another huge yawn.
"Course you're not," said Ron sarcastically, and with that he flung me over his shoulder and began walking towards his blue Ford Anglia.
"OI!" I yelled, "Put me down at once or you will suffer the consequences!"
"Will I now?" Ron laughed, "I shudder to think what they might be!"
"This is not dignified!" I whined, my voice full of frustration, "Put me down!" I began hitting every available part of Ron that was within reach.
"You're a stubborn little thing aren't you?" he chortled, finally setting me down by the passenger door of his car, completely unaffected by my feeble attmepts to hurt him.
"You are so pushy!" I moaned.
"It's open," was all he replied.
I threw him a filthly look and, making it unclear of my unwillingness, clambered into his car.