Here's Chapter 8 of HPTL! Hope you like! Plz R&R! CodeRomance
The next morning Harry was up with sun. He knew he didn't have to be up that early, but for so many years that had been when he was woken up by the Dursley's, or he had been awake because of a nightmare. It was hard to break that habit. He knew Ginny and Ron were not morning people, so he was very quiet as he started his morning routine. He gathered his clothes and went to get into the shower. Twenty minutes later he was out of the bathroom and Hermione was sitting by the window, starring out.
"Good morning, Hermione," Harry whispered, "I hope I didn't wake you when I got up. I always rise with sun." Harry smiled at her.
Hermione turned to look at him; she looked as though she had been crying. "Good morning, Harry." She smiled at him sadly. "No you didn't wake me. I couldn't sleep."
"Hermione, are you ok?" Harry looked at her with concern. "Why have you been crying?"
"Oh, no reason." Hermione laughed bitterly.
"Hermione," Harry said sternly, "I know you were crying for a reason. Girls don't cry without a reason, no matter what!"
"I-I," she started, but she burst into tears again. Harry walked over to her and pulled her into a hug.
"Hermione, it'll be ok, I promise." Harry whispered soothingly. "Tell me what happened."
"I know it'll be ok, Harry," Hermione smiled a watery smile. "I'm just afraid it will be taken away."
"What will be taken away?" Harry asked earnestly, though he had a feeling he knew. Harry had been thinking the same thing.
"My friends, Hogwarts, this bond with Ron." Hermione put her face in her hands. Harry hugged her tighter. "I-I had a dream that you all died. I watched Ron die right in front of me! There was nothing I could but watch. You were all dead! All of you!" she cried out. "I don't think I could live with that. I wouldn't trade you guys for the world." She looked at Harry. "I might only have known you for a day, Harry, but you, Ron and Ginny are the best! I haven't had many friends and the ones that were only wanted to be because I'm smart, but you guys, well you treat me differently and I like that." She sobbed into Harry's shirt. Harry ran a hand up and down her back, trying to sooth her.
Hermione's sobs woke up Ron. He could feel her pain and sadness as if it were his own. "Hermione?" he said groggily. Harry looked up. Hermione wept harder.
"We're over here, Ron." Harry whispered into the room. Ron got up and rubbed his eyes. He looked over at Harry and Hermione. A wave of sadness and grief swept over Ron and almost knocked him back onto the bed. It had come from Hermione.
"'Mione?" Ron rushed over to Hermione and Harry. "'Mione," he pushed Harry out of the way and pulled Hermione close. "Shhh, it's ok. You're ok." Ron whispered as Hermione wept harder.
"Ron?" Hermione's voice was muffled in Ron's shirt.
"I'm here, 'Mione," he murmured. "Are you ok? What happened?"
"I just had a nightmare, Ron." Hermione mumbled. "Don't ever leave me, Ron, please don't ever leave me." She pulled him closer.
"I won't, 'Mione, I promise." Ron held her for a while longer until she had calmed down. Ron looked at Harry and mouthed, 'what happened? What did she see?'
Harry mouthed back, 'I'll tell you later.' Ron nodded. Harry went over to Ginny's bed to see if he could wake her. Ron led Hermione to the bathroom and got a change of clothes for her. He told her to take a shower and get ready for the day. She complied and Ron went out of the bathroom. Harry leaned over Ginny.
"Ginny," he said softly, "time to get up." Ginny mumbled something and rolled over. Harry tried again. "Ginny! Come on, you'll be late for your first day of classes!" Ginny jumped from the bed.
"Oh my gosh, why didn't you wake me!" she yelled. Harry and Ron burst out laughing. "What's so funny?" She looked over at the clock on the wall. It read 6:30am.
"Ugh, you guys," Ginny growled, "are so going to get it!" she grabbed Harry and started to tickle him. Harry tried to get out of her grasp but was laughing too hard. "Say Uncle, Harry!" Ginny grinned.
"Uncle, Uncle!" Harry shouted, laughing. Ron, not wanting to be tickled started to edge away. Ginny, however, noticed what he was doing and,
"Oh, no you don't! You won't get away with this!" Ginny got up to Ron, leaving Harry to get himself together. Ron tried to get way from Ginny, but she caught her brother around the waste and dragged him to the floor and started to tickle him. Harry joined in a minute later, making Ron laugh even harder. That was how Hermione found them as she came out of the bathroom.
Her first thought was to scold them, but Ron looked at her and said, between laughs, "Don't even think about spoiling our fun!" Harry looked up to se Hermione at the door of the bathroom, fully dressed. She had a small smile on her face. Harry got up and pulled her over to the group and started to tickle her. It soon became a game. At some point Ginny got up to take a shower and get dressed. Hermione went to get her school stuff together and was trying to get Ron and Harry to do the same. When Ginny came out of the bathroom, Ron went into the bathroom. Finally they were ready to go down to breakfast.
As they went down to the common room they met Neville on the stairs. "Hey, guys," he looked at them all. Then he looked at Harry and Ron, "Where were you last night? I waited up for you."
Harry and Ron gulped. They looked at the girls, who nodded. "Well, we are in a different dormitory." They said hoping that he wouldn't ask anymore.
Neville looked at them. "You are?" he seemed to think about it. "Well I suppose that makes sense. While I was waiting up for you two of the five beds disappeared." He looked at the girls, then back at Harry and Ron, "So where did you sleep?"
"Um, we slept in a dorm with Ginny and Hermione," Harry said quietly.
"WHAT!" Neville shouted, and then he fainted.
"Uh oh!" Ron looked down at Neville, "Now what do we do?"
"What is going on? What have you lot done to Neville?" a voice demanded from the top of the stairs. All four of them whipped around.
"Percy!" Ginny gasped. "Um, we didn't do anything, he just fainted."
"Hmm, well you had better not have done anything." Percy looked down at Neville. "Well don't just stand there, try and revise him and then get him to the Hospital Wing." He huffed and left them to get Neville up. He looked back up. "Well, hurry up now and don't do anything to get into trouble or you'll be sorry." They all rushed to get Neville up. He groaned and then looked at them.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU! DOES DUMBLEDORE KNOW?" Neville shouted once again.
"Neville! Hush!" Hermione whispered sternly. "Percy's at the bottom of the stairs." That shut him up. Ron and Harry dragged him up. Hermione and Ginny looked at each other and then they looked at the boys.
Let's go! To the room! Ginny said to Harry.
Come on, Ron; help Harry take Neville up to the room. Hermione said.
Harry and Ron helped Neville into their dorm. Neville looked around. "Whose dorm is this?" he asked quietly. He was in quite a shock.
"This is our room," Ginny stated softly, "as in, Harry's, Ron's, Hermione's and mine."
Neville looked around again and then back at Ginny. "What do you mean? Why?"
Ginny looked at the others. Harry, what do you think? Should we tell him? I think we can trust him.
Yes, I think we should tell him. He's our friend.
Ginny looked at Hermione, who looked at Ron, We're going to tell him, is that alright, Ron?
Ron looked at Neville then back at Hermione and his sister. He glanced briefly at Harry who nodded and said to Hermione; Go ahead, it makes sense to.
"Neville, we are going to tell you some things and you might not believe them, but they are true." Hermione said quietly. "We will also try to answer any questions you may have, but keep in mind, we don't know everything and aren't sure how or why this happened." Hermione looked at Ginny.
"Neville, do you remember the sorting yesterday?" Ginny asked. Neville nodded. "Well you remember how Harry and I and Ron Hermione were sorted together. Ever since then we've been able to do unique things, occult things."
"Uh? What does occult mean?" Neville asked confused. (A/N: Ginny learned that word from Hermione on the train while they were talking together.)
"It means mysterious or magical." Ginny murmured smiling at Hermione.
"Wait, does that mean you have special powers that no witch or wizard has ever had?" Neville breathed.
"Well yes I suppose it does," Ginny looked startled. She had never really thought of it that way before. Then she remember what Gortox had said about Voldemort. "Actually, according to Gortox," Neville looked confused, "the sorting hat, there was another that is happened too. Mind you we don't know the details, just who it was or rather is."
"Who was it?" Neville asked, not sure he wanted to know.
Ginny gulped, she looked at Harry. "Voldemort." Harry stated quietly.
Neville gasped, "He-who-must-not-named?" Neville fainted again.
Harry and Ron rushed to his side as did Hermione and Ginny. "Neville! Come on, there's more we have to tell you!" Ron pleaded. Neville opened his eyes. He sat up.
"I can't believe this." Neville looked at them. "What all can you do?" he asked them.
Ron and Harry went on to explain what exactly happened to them after the sorting. When they had finished Neville was excited, nervous and a bit scared of his friends. Hermione looked at the clock. She gasped. "Oh no we need to get down to breakfast or we won't get our schedules and we'll be late for class!"
"Notice she says nothing about the food," Ron muttered to Harry, who only grinned.
"Ronald Bilious (A/N: SP?) Weasley!" Hermione growled, "I heard that!"
Ron went pale. Harry laughed. "Come on guys, let's eat and get to our classes."
They all headed out of the dorm and into the common room. No one was in sight. They headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Luckily they still had time to eat before they had to go to class. As they walked into the Great Hall McGonagall handed them their schedules. Hermione took hers eagerly and sat down at the table. The rest followed.
"Oooh looks like we have, Transfiguration with McGonagall, and Herbology with Professor, Sprout this morning!" Hermione said excited.
"Oh no, McGonagall!" Ron groaned, "That can't be good. I've heard she's strict!"
Hermione huffed to Ron: Well I think the stricter the better! Then she got up and walked out of the Great Hall, barely touching her breakfast.
Hermione! Ron called into her head. He looked at Harry, Ginny and Neville and shook his head. "She needs to eat something." He grabbed 2 plates with food and ran after Hermione. Hermione! Wait! I'm really sorry!
Well, come on then, she called back to him. She had stopped just outside the Great Hall. Ron smiled sheepishly at her when he caught up.
I really am sorry, Hermione, it's just we have different views on things. I couldn't help but disagree with you.
I know, Ron. It's not your fault. I need to learn not to take offense so easily, but it doesn't help when you say stuff the way you do. Just be careful to watch your tone and I'll try not to over react. Hermione looked at Ron. Deal?
Deal, Ron smiled and slung his arm over Hermione. Come on lets go find somewhere to eat this! Ron pointed to the plates of food he had brought with him. Hermione nodded and walked toward the entrance.
We only have a few minutes before we have to head to class, so we have to hurry. Ron nodded to Hermione.
Meanwhile back in the Great Hall Ginny and Harry were talking about McGonagall and what her class might be like.
Well, we know McGonagall is a level headed teacher and like Hermione said, probably strict, Ginny said. My bet is that the class with be some what hard.
Yeah, makes since. Besides we don't want a class to be too easy else it would be boring. Harry grinned as he thought of something. Of course we could always plan pranks if a class is too easy! Ginny laughed.
Neville sat there and watched Ginny and Harry nod at each other now and then. They must be talking to each other, he thought.
Just then Malfoy and his cronies, Crabb and Goyle, came up to the Gryffindor table, "Well, if it isn't Potter and his little weasel. But where's big weasel and his little rabbit?" Malfoy and his cronies laughed.
Harry looked over at him, "Shut it, Malfoy." Harry got out of his seat. "Don't insult my friends again, or else you'll be sorry!" Harry, Ginny warned. Harry looked at her, I know, Gin.
"Oh, is that a threat, Potter?" Malfoy sneered.
"No Malfoy, it's a warning." Harry said between his teeth. Ginny was holding his hand to keep him calm, even though her temper was rising too.
"Malfoy, Potter, what is going on here?" McGonagall asked as she came up to the table.
Harry looked up at her and before Malfoy could say a word, "Malfoy insulted my friends, Professor."
McGonagall looked at Malfoy. "Is this true?"
"I-I, no he provoked me!" Malfoy stumbled. He hadn't expected Harry to be so quick witted.
"I did not!" Harry shouted causing the whole of the Great Hall to look in their direction which wasn't many for most had eaten already and left.
"That is quite enough!" McGonagall said sternly. "Malfoy, ten points from Slytherin for your mouth, and Potter 5 points for yelling. Now please move along, Malfoy."
Malfoy glared at Harry and then at McGonagall, "Come on Crabb, Goyle." He said and stormed out of the Great Hall with his cronies following closely.
McGonagall looked at Harry, "You showed much bravery, standing up for your friends, Potter." She smiled slightly at him. "Ten points for Gryffindor." She turned and walked out of the Great Hall.
Harry smiled after her as she left. "She gave the points back plus some." He said to no one in particular.
Ginny smiled at him, Good thing Malfoy didn't see! He would have had a fit.
Yeah and too bad Ron wasn't here. Then he would see that McGonagall isn't so bad!
I know Hermione would be ecstatic! Ginny laughed out loud. Neville looked at them strangely and then laughed too.
"Come on, guys, we have to get to class." Neville said.
"Yeah, come on, Harry, finish up." Harry shoved the last of his food in his mouth while Ginny gathered up the books. Harry got up, grabbed his and Ginny's books and then pulled her and Neville through the door and out into the hall. They rushed up to McGonagall's room and found Hermione and Ron already sitting and had saved them seats. Harry set the books down and took a seat. Ginny sat next to Hermione while Harry sat next to Ginny and Neville sat next to Ron with Hermione on his other side. Just then Malfoy and the other Slytherins came into the room.
"Oh no, Hermione why didn't you tell us we had Transfiguration with the Slytherins?" groaned Ron.
"I didn't know, Ron, I'm sorry." Hermione looked deflated. Ron saw her look and said to her,
It's ok Hermione; I just didn't want to be with them first that was all. Ron smiled slightly, not your fault!
Thanks, Hermione gave him a grateful look.
McGonagall came in and class started. The Slytherins didn't have the opportunity to make even one snip to the Gryffindors because McGonagall keep the class busy with trying to change the matches they had been given into needles. In the end only Hermione accomplished turning the whole thing into a needle with Ron fairing some what better then he had thought.
Hermione this is awesome and I owe it all to you! Ron praised. I know I couldn't have gotten it to look mostly like a needle unless I was sharing my mind with you!
Hermione blushed prettily, thanks, Ron, but don't put yourself down, you only have to work a bit at it!
Ron looked at her and said out loud, "I wouldn't count on it Hermione."
Everyone looked at them. The class had been silent and when Ron had said that it was only half of a conversation. Ooops, Ron said to Hermione wordlessly.
Hermione chuckled silently.
Ginny and Harry smiled at their friends knowingly and Neville had barely been paying attention as he couldn't seem to get his match to even start to turn silver. Ginny looked at him and tried to instruct him on what to do but to no luck. Harry and Ron started to whisper about something or another while Hermione and Ginny instructed Neville.
Class ended soon after and they all headed for Herbology. Professor Sprout was an interesting sort of women and the class proved interesting if not just a tad boring. Neville found the whole thing fascinating. Luckily Slytherins were not with them, but instead it was the Hufflepuffs. Soon it was lunch time, and the Gryffindors headed for the Great Hall with their stomachs rumbling hungrily.
Note: Ron's personality is a tad different because of the bond with Hermione; they both see things from the others point of views so they won't get into fights very much. The same goes for Ginny and Harry too!
A/N: Well hope you liked this chapter! It was a bit tougher to write then I wanted it to be but I got it done in the end! Please Review! I would appreciate it!
CodeRomance