Story Notice:
Because of repeated comments from readers that the characters act older than they would in 3rd year I HAVE decided to change their age BUT not the events that will take place. In other words instead of starting Hogwarts at 11 the trio would have started when they were 14, meaning that they are 16 at this point in the story. I would especially like to thank Kashrlyyk for suggesting this because I had no idea about how to resolve the age issue especially since it was such a concern for so many of you. I admit that I had intended the trio to be older but I liked the POA storyline (hits head on desk) and it never occured to me before to change the Hogwarts entry age. Thank you all for commenting, I really appreciate your honesty! I hope I can continue to entertain you all and I hope that changing their ages this late in the story won't affect your enjoyment.
Now I'll shut up so you can read the chapter :)
Chapter 12 – Cooking has its uses after all
"This is bloody fantastic isn't it," Harry cried in frustration as they walked back to the common room, "Now what?"
Ron didn't reply, but continued following Harry.
"Ron?!"
Ron realized that he had stopped walking and Harry was now standing in front of him.
"We have to find out whose behind these attacks," Harry said vehemently, "I won't let Hagrid live the rest of his life in Azkaban."
"Look, I think I'll try doing some more research," Ron said before running down the hall and away from Harry.
Ron looked down at his watch and saw that his sister was near one of the Girls toilets and he quickly made his way there. Just as he stood debating whether he should just barge into the girls toilets a person came running out falling on top of him as he fell to the ground.
"I-I'm sorry," the young girl said softly not daring to look up.
"It's alright."
At the sound of his voice the girl looked up in shock.
"How come I can see you?" she asked in alarm.
"Magic," Ron answered lamely helping the girl up, as he did he was able to see her face more clearly, "You look…very familiar, have we met?"
He thought he saw the girl blush before shaking her head causing her bushy hair to somehow increase in size.
"I should go," she said trying to walk past him.
"Wait, is there another girl in there? Red hair, brown eyes, around the same height as you?" Ron said quickly.
"No," the girl replied, "Just me and Moaning Myrtle."
She looked at Ron's face intently causing him to blush slightly.
"Uh, thanks," he said before turning away and walking back to the common room, he turned his head back but saw that the girl had disappeared.
Ron started when he felt the familiar tugging on his arm, he groaned before looking at his watch. He was alarmed to see the sun shining in through the window and the words 'Great Hall' floating above Hermione's initials.
"Oh bugger," Ron cried when he realized that he was going to be late for class and he hadn't even finished his potions essay.
He hastily changed and ran into the bathroom to brush his teeth, groaning in annoyance when he saw the ink marks on his face.
By the time he reached the Great Hall most of the students were leaving and he saw John walking towards him.
"Oh good your awake, I was just going to come and get you," John said hastily before placing a toasted sandwich in his hand, "Come on we've only got ten minutes before potions starts."
"But I haven't even – "
"Here," John whispered handing him a rolled up piece of parchment, "I finished it for you last night."
Ron stared at John in disbelief.
"But don't expect me to do it again," John said sternly before walking down towards the dungeons.
Ron quickly finished his toasted sandwich as he walked with John to Potions.
"You are the best, you're my personal savior."
Ron saw John smile at this and heard him mumble something.
"What was that?" Ron questioned.
"Nothing," John replied before pulling an apple out of his bag and handing it to Ron.
"Not this again," Ron chuckled.
Harry remained a safe distance behind his friend and watched John and Ron's interaction closely. Ron ruffled John's hair and smiled as John began talking excitedly about something while waving his arms around madly. Harry narrowed his eyes as he saw the warm expression on Ron's face, he had never seen Ron look at anyone like that before.
'It's almost as though…' but these thoughts were interrupted when Ron looked back and spotted him.
Harry smiled back and walked up to them. He hadn't had the chance to ask Ron whether Hermione was going to be at the Christmas Ball. Harry had intended to question the girl about her cousin when he saw her but he rarely saw Ron at all to even bring it up. But what concerned him more was the letter he had just received from Ginny.
"Ron you look horrible," Harry noted when he had reached them.
"Gee thanks Harry," Ron said sarcastically before yawning.
"How are you John?" Harry asked turning to look at him.
"Fine thanks," John replied cheerfully before they walked into the Potions classroom.
Harry let Ron walk ahead of them before he turned to John.
"So how's your cousin doing?"
Before John could reply Harry continued.
"Funny thing is, one of my friends goes to Hogwarts Girls and she's never meet her before."
"Really?" John said in a surprised voice, "What year is she in?"
"Second year, Gryffindor," Harry replied.
"Well she's a third year like us, maybe that's why your friend hasn't seen her around."
Harry continued to stare at John but could find no reason to doubt his explanation.
"Maybe," Harry finally conceded when he saw Ron walk towards them.
"What are you two whispering about?" Ron asked frowning at him.
"Nothing of importance," Harry said hurriedly before taking a seat at one of the desks.
Hermione watched Harry take a seat near her and she hastily wiped her sweaty hands on her robes. She took a deep breath before sitting down.
'Okay, don't panic,' Hermione told herself willing herself to remain calm.
As good as she was getting at lying for some reason she always felt that Harry could see right through her lies.
"Everything okay?" Ron asked from beside her.
She looked up into his concerned face and instantly felt the fear leave her.
"Perfect," she replied before she began pulling out her notes.
'I guess this means I need to talk to McGonnagal,' Hermione told herself just as Snape flew into the classroom – in his usual foul mood.
Ron let his head rest on the library desk and stared at his watch. After class Hermione had made some excuse about extra study – of course Ron knew when he looked down at his watch that she had actually gone to McGonnagal's office.
'She's been in there for hours, what the heck is she doing?' Ron wondered.
Ron's eyes instantly flew to his watch again when he felt the all too familiar tugging sensation. Ron watched the words of on his watch change until they finally read 'Library'.
Ron sat up and looked at the entrance of the library. There was no one there. Apart from him and the librarian the library at this time of day was completely empty. Ron stood up from his seat and wandered around the library to see if perhaps she had disappeared behind one of the numerous bookshelves.
Ron stopped and looked at his watch again. It still read 'Library' and yet Hermione wasn't here. He tapped his watch and wondered if it was broken, but that wasn't possible. He, Harry and Neville had transferred the magic from the map that Fred and George had given him, and the twins had guaranteed that the map was never wrong.
Ron brow creased in concern and he quickly made his way back to the table to collect his bag. He clicked one of the buttons on the watch and waited. Hermione's initials disappeared to be replaced by 'G.W.' and the words above his sister's initials read 'Magical Culinary Skills'.
'It is working, but then where is she?' Ron wondered.
He frowned and pressed the button again. Slowly the initials disappeared to be replaced by Hermione's again.
"Library," Ron read the word aloud before looking up in frustration.
He was really starting to worry now. He looked around him once more before running out of the library to find McGonnagal.
'I can't believe this,' Ron yelled at himself, 'What if Black has her? I never should have let her out of my sight.'
Ron came to an abrubt stop when he felt his wrist watch tugging at his arm again. He looked down and stared in confusion when the words read 'Magical Culinary Skills'.
"What the hell?" Ron wondered aloud.
Hermione yawned and watched as all the girls around her giggled and chatted as they cooked.
'I never realized how pink this room was before,' Hermione thought to herself letting her eyes wander around the room.
"Something wrong Miss Granger?"
"No Professor Shingleton," Hermione replied plastering a fake smile on her face.
"Well then you had better remove that chocolate from the stove, your biscuits won't cook themselves," the teacher laughed heartily.
Hermione watched the woman leave, saving her from the torture of staring at her frilly pink apron any longer than necessary.
Hermione imitated the woman's sickly sweet laugh before rolling her eyes. After an hour of torture where Hermione had sat in front of her oven watching her biscuits cook, the class was finally over. Hermione released a sigh of relief before walking out of the room.
Hermione waited till the other girls disappeared and she was completely alone before she walked towards the library. Hermione stopped abruptly when she felt something brush past her. Hermione looked around the empty corridor in confusion.
Just as she was contemplating what the strange sensation was, a large group of girls rushed out of their classroom. Hermione stepped back and tried to fade into the wall as she let them pass her. By the looks of the heart shaped boxed they held in their hands they too had been cooking sweets.
Hermione was just about to step away from the wall when she saw a girl walk towards her an annoyed expression on her face. Hermione thought for a moment that she was going to be teased but instead the girl walked right past Hermione to a bin and threw her box of sweets into it angrily.
"What rubbish!" the girl screamed before walking off down the corridor her flaming red hair swaying behind her.
"Hermione dear!"
Hermione shivered involuntarily before turning around to see Professor Shingleton running towards her.
"Silly girl, you left your biscuits in the classroom."
"Really? How very silly of me indeed," Hermione replied pretending to act shocked, "Thank you Professor."
Hermione took the box of cookies from her teacher and watched her walk away. When she could no longer see her teacher she turned around and threw the cookies into the bin. Hermione started when she heard someone giggle and when she looked up she saw the red-haired girl looking at her.
"Not a fan of 'Magical Culinary Classes' are we?" She said before walking over to Hermione.
"I think 'loathing' is an appropriate word for how I feel about that class," Hermione replied.
"I'm Ginny by the way," the girl replied.
"Hermione," Hermione replied shaking the girls hand.
"Nice to meet you."
Ron walked back and forth in his bedroom watching in fascination as he pressed the button on his watch.
Magical Culinary Skills - HG
CLICK
Magical Culinary Skills - GW
"What can this mean?" Ron wondered aloud, "Has she gone back to Hogwarts Girls for good?"
Ron stopped pacing and sat on the floor leaning back against his bed.
"But she didn't say anything this morning and all her things are still here."
Ron held his head in his hands.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
Ron jumped up from the floor when he saw John walk in.
"You're here!" Ron cried in relief.
"Where else would I be?" John replied looking at him strangely.
"I-I only meant…where have you been?" Ron questioned.
"I was in the library," John replied holding up the books in his hands, "Oh and Harry's in the common room, he had something to tell you apparently."
Ron stared at John.
"You couldn't have been in the library," Ron said finally, "I was just there and it was completely empty."
John placed his books on his desk before turning around to look at him.
"I was helping Neville look for a book for History of Magic," John replied looking at him strangely.
"But I saw you go to McGonnagal's office."
John's eyes widened at this.
"You're following me?" He said in disbelief.
"No. I mean – look I'm supposed to be protecting you, how can I do that if I don't know where you are."
"As far as I know, Hogwarts is perfectly safe during the day. You know, with all the students and teachers walking around. I hardly think Sirius Black would be stupid enough to attack me in broad daylight."
Ron sighed inwardly.
'I can't tell her how I've been watching her but I know she wasn't at the library.'
"Look I'm touched that you are so concerned about me," John said walking over to stand in front of Ron and placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, "But I'm worried about you, you look so tired all the time. I'm a big gir- I can take care of myself."
'You're a big girl huh? If you make any more slips like that than you're cover would be completely blown,' Ron sighed, 'And you wonder why I'm so worried.'
"Yeah, you're right, I've been a bit wound up these last few days," Ron said rubbing his neck, "I'd better see what Harry wants."
Ron ruffled John's hair before walking out of the room.
Ron saw Harry idly poking at some chess pieces on the table and walked over to him.
"Hey, John said you wanted to see me," Ron said before sitting down across from him.
"Yeah," Harry replied sitting up in his seat, "Are you meeting Ginny tonight?"
"Am I?" Ron rubbed his head and tried to remember what the date was, "Yeah I guess I am."
"Well I think maybe I should meet her tonight instead of you," Harry replied.
"Why's that?" Ron asked.
"Have you looked in the mirror lately? You look like you haven't slept in days and I've noticed you haven't really been eating either."
Ron raised his eyebrows at this comment.
"Why Harry I didn't think you cared," Ron said sweetly, placing a hand over his heart.
"I'm not the only one who's noticed. Why else do you think John's been making you eat healthy food rather than just chocolate? You look like you hardly have the energy to walk upright."
'Oh, so that's why she gave me that apple. Here I thought she was just nagging me again.'
"Why are you smiling?"
Ron shook himself from his inner thoughts and focused on Harry.
"No reason. Look, thanks for the offer Harry but I want to see my sister."
"I know, but just this once let me go instead of you. I worry about her too you know."
Ron was about to protest but Harry continued.
"And the state you're in I think you'd just make Ginny scared for your health and not the other way around."
Ron narrowed his eyes at Harry.
"Don't go there Harry," Ron warned lowering his voice.
"I'm just saying, I have the money, you shouldn't have to waste time tutoring when you've got so many other thing to worry about."
"I told you – "
"Yes, I know, you want to earn the money yourself," Harry sighed before leaning back in his seat, "But at least let me see her tonight while you get some sleep."
Ron had to admit that he felt exhausted and hungry.
"Yeah, okay. But tell Ginny I'm sorry."
"She won't be angry at you," Harry replied "You better get to bed."
"Thanks, Harry," Ron said before walking back up the stairs.
Ron stumbled into his and Hermione's room and closed the door behind him before collapsing in an exhausted heap beside his bed. Harry had been right, lying there staring out the nearyby window Ron realised just how tired he really was, he could have slept right there on the cool wooden floors.
"I need some food," Ron said to himself finally but just as he was about to stand from the floor he heard a strange creaking sound.
Ron grabbed his wand and pointed at the opposite wall where the sound was coming from. The next moment Ron saw the full length mirror disappear into the wall and Hermione stumbled in. Ron stared wide eyed as she hurriedly ran over to her desk. He thought he smelt the faint smell of chocolate and slowly crept under his bed and watched as she took her potion.
'No matter how many times I see it, it's still so weird seeing her transform back into a guy.'
Ron watched as Hermione now disguised as John walked into the bathroom. Once the door clicked close Ron crawled out from under the bed.
'If only you could see what I have to go through for you,' Ron sighed dusting himself off, 'Bet Harry would get a real laugh out of the fact that I was hiding under my bed because of a girl.'
"Ginny?" Harry whispered as he walked onto the Astronomy tower.
"Why are you whispering," Ginny said from the marble seat, "Where's Ron?"
"Oh I asked if I could come to see you tonight," Harry explained taking a seat beside Ginny, "Did you find anything more about Hermione Granger? In your letter you said – "
"Oh, I saw her today," Ginny interrupted Harry, "She's really nice."
"You saw her," Harry said slowly.
Ginny nodded her head and smiled.
"We spent the afternoon complaining about our stupid classes."
Harry remained quiet as he listened to Ginny.
"Did she mention John at all?"
"John?" Ginny turned to look at Harry, "Whose that?"
"Her cousin," Harry answered, "He's the one I'm really worried about, he transferred to Hogwarts this year and no one really knows anything about him."
Harry stopped himself from elaborating when he realized that he might be scaring Ginny, but when he looked at her she looked perfectly fine.
"Do you think Tom sent him?" Ginny questioned.
Harry gaped at Ginny.
"What did you just say?"
Ginny looked down at her clasped hands.
"I've been doing a lot of thinking," Ginny stood from the bench and walked over to lean against the ledge, "I don't want to be defined by what happened to me, I dont want to be the girl who was almost killed by Tom Riddle. I just want to be Ginny."
Harry smiled at Ginny.
"That's great Ginny, you should really proud of yourself for coming to that realisation."
"Thanks but it's Hermione that helped me to understand how I feel," Ginny replied sitting back down beside him, "She's had a pretty rough time at Hogwarts too."
"Then, I'm glad you have friends at Hogwarts who can support you."
"Me too. But I doubt I'll see her that often."
"Why's that?" Harry asked his suspicions returning.
"She's taking extra classes this year, that's why I haven't see her around school."
"I see," Harry said softly.
Hermione started when she heard someone moving around. She walked over to the curtain and peered out. She relaxed when she saw it was only Ron, he had gotten up to go to the bathroom.
Hermione returned to her bed and placed the book she was reading on her night stand. She cuddled up in her blankets before dimming her light and closing her eyes to sleep.
She heard the toilet flush and the water from the tap being turned on and off again. She breathed deeply and curled up in her bed. She loved having Ron around, he always made her feel safe.
Hermione's eyes flew open when she felt an unfamilar weight on her bed.
Hermione's heart rate instantly increased as she looked right into Ron's sleeping face.
"Ron," she whispered shaking him slightly.
Instead of waking up he moved closer towards her and Hermione thought her heart would leap from her throat when he reached over and pulled her towards him in a tight hug.
She heard him snore and felt herself shaking in his arms.
"Hmmm, chocolate," Ron murmured in his sleep snuggling closer to her.
'Now what do I do?' Hermione cried internally, struggling in vain to escape Ron's grip.
'I'm just going to have to stay awake, I can't let him wake up and see me as a girl.'
Hermione looked up at Ron's sleeping face and felt herself blush.
'Stay awake. Stay awake. For Merlin's sake please stay awake!'
A/N: On another note, for those who would like to interact with me or just to find out what the heck I do between updates just visit my LiveJournal, you can find the link in my profile :)