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Note: I hope that you all enjoy this chapter! Be happy that it came so close to the second. As always, please hit the review button! Getting those lovely emails really and truly rock my world.

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"Great practice!" Ron Weasley congratulated himself. He really did seem to be getting the hang of this whole Keeper thing. Sure, he wished he could do better when they were actually in a game, but certainly these extra practices would help him get over his fears…wouldn't they? They'd won the Cup for this year…that should have given him a boost greater than Felix Felicis!

Instead of walking back to the castle, Ron merely jumped onto his newish broom and began the short flight back to the main doors. It was a bright day filled with sunshine, and Ron enjoyed the feeling of the wind in his hair and the sun warm on his back. It was wonderful to be free of Lavender…and to be friends with Hermione again. Instantly a dark mood descended upon Ron. Why, oh why couldn't he get things right with her? If only he had Harry's fame, some of Harry's confidence…sure, his best friend always seemed to be in trouble of some kind, but then he also always seemed to be famous for something, even if it was bad! Ron was just "another Weasley brother," just a nobody who wasn't worth anything. Someone marvelous like Hermione would never see anything in him.

Still in this morose mood, Ron unconsciously angled his broom away from the straight shot towards the castle and meandered over to the lake. He was gazing moodily at the water when two figures broke through the trees far in front of him, and his breath caught in a gasp at the sight.

There was Harry, his famous best friend and a girl, none other than Ron's own little sister, Ginny. Even though Ron had witnessed and had magnanimously given silent permission on the night when Harry and Ginny had first kissed, the fact of their relationship still surprised and slightly annoyed him. Ginny was his baby sister, the child that Ron had always tried to protect, in the best way that he could. Harry could have any girl he wanted…why did he have to pick Ginny? Ron blatantly ignored the fact that Ginny was rather in favor of the relationship and just concentrated on Harry and his actions and choices.

Suddenly, Ron realized that was partly what was bothering him. Even though Harry had no family, and had to kill Voldemort, he also had just about everything life could offer. Significant magical talent, a fortune in Gringotts, a house…why did he have to take one of the few special things that was Ron's? Ginny was a Weasley….but then, being a Weasley meant having everything that Harry didn't have. No family, none of the playful banter that Ron loved so well…no safe and secure home, where he knew that he was accepted and cared about. Proper meals, a comfortable bed, a roomy garden where broomsticks could be ridden…no, being a Weasley really wasn't a bad thing, always excepting the lack of fortune, of course.

He couldn't deny Harry the kind of comfort that he himself had in a family….and he certainly couldn't fault his best friend for picking the best girl there was at school, excepting Hermione, of course. In fact, Ron was immeasurably relieved that Harry had picked Ginny. If Hermione had started dating Harry, Ron wasn't sure what he would have done. Whatever it was, though, it wouldn't have been pretty.

A quick fear gripped Ron's heart as he began to fly away. What if Harry left Ginny? Worse still, what if Harry began to love Hermione? He shook his head to rid himself of the thought, and kept flying back towards Hogwarts, leaving the young couple alone again.

The thought was stupid and outrageous, but Ron couldn't get rid of it completely. The horrible thought had taken firm root deep within his heart, and when a stressful moment came, Ron had no way of knowing that it would present itself again to him in full bloom.

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A/N: Hit that lovely review button, and you'll get a cookie in return. A MAGIC cookie, no less! Next up, Severus Snape. He was the most fun. Remember, if you want to see anybody particular in here, you have to let me know. K? Thanks!