Chapter 6, In the Courtyard
"speech" – speech
^speech^ - parseltongue
After the clerk had scanned the books Harry had him shrink them down and put into his backpack.
"Wow, that is smart," Hermione exclaimed.
Harry turned and smirked at her, "Just common sense. What books did you get?"
Harry like the way both his new acquaintances eyes' lit up.
Hermione started speaking in rush, "We haven't looked yet but I really want to get some of the books you have, 'Little People, Big Plans' by Ragnok the Pigeon-toed looked really good."
"I've read that," Ron said tugging on his red hair, "It's really informative on goblin culture and political views."
Harry blinked, "Good, I thought it might turn out to be a dud. How about we co-ordinate books? We get different books and switch when we yet to Hogwarts?"
Hermione and Ron grinned, "Brilliant," they said in sync.
An hour later after much debate, and ducking to avoid Ron's family, the trio was seated on the ground in the small courtyard alongside Flourish and Blott's with about fifty books.
"That was surprisingly fun," Harry said finally.
Hermione laughed, "Yeah, I still can't believe you talked me into that buying that book about ripping apart human souls."
Harry pouted, "Me and Ron can't have it in case our guardians find it."
Hermione sighed, "Okay," and then frowned, "Ron you're quite."
Ron sighed, "I'm thinking."
Both Harry and Hermione knew better than to press or question so they sat in silence for a while. Harry picked at the hem of his t-shirt until Ron spoke up again,
"Can we be friends? I've never really had a friend so I don't know how to ask this but can we?"
Hermione laughed happily, "I'll be your friend! I've never had a friend either."
Harry looked up from his hem to see them both staring at him.
"I've never been allowed friends. I don't think I'm able to," Harry lied. To be honest he didn't think real friendship or trust was possible, he would rather ignore it.
Hermione looked away but Ron frowned and said, "You think we'll betray you?"
Harry would normally lie but he knew that it would get him nowhere with this boy, he was too astute so he just nodded.
He stiffened when he felt an arm wrap around his shoulders.
"Harry, we'll never betray you," Hermione whispered.
Harry shook his head, mortified when tears sprang to his eyes. Damn lack of childhood affection.
"You don't know that," he hissed, "everyone has their price and everyone looks out for themselves. Why pretend we are anything more than using each other for knowledge?"
Hermione lifted her arm slowly. Harry didn't even notice Ron move until his chin was forced upwards so he had to make eye contact with the redhead.
"Harry," Ron said softly, "If you continue believing that you will end up unhappy for life. Love, friendship and happiness aren't myth. I lost a lot of mine with my naivety, I'm going to find it again. I want to do that with you and 'Mione. You both are the first people my age that I understand and that have lost a bit of that naivety and have intelligence."
Harry harshly pulled himself away from the eleven year old.
"Prove you won't betray me, I want to be friends but I won't be hurt again!" Harry yelled, glaring at the ground.
The trio stood in the yard, breathing hard, for a few tense moments. Harry could feel the tension chocking him.
"Bonding charm," Ron muttered at last, "I've been thinking about this for ages. My plan was that if I ever made a real friend we'd go through a bonding charm. It serves as a melding of minds. We'd have access to each other's thoughts. You would know if we ever betrayed you. Two weeks' worth of pen pal ship until Hogwarts and then if you want to we'll do the spell on the train. You can both research the spell on your own, it's mentioned in the magical theory book for first years, and make informed decisions."
Harry thought about it before breathing, "Okay."
Hermione looked between them and clutched her bear to her, "I'm pretty sure this isn't how normal people make friends. But then again, I've never been normal so I'm in."
Harry laughed, "I like you two." And for the first time in years Harry Potter really started to hope.
Ron gave a crooked grin, "Same."
Hermione gasped, "I still need a wand and it's getting late!"
Harry guessed it was only about four-thirty but shrugged anyway.
Ron looked at him, "I need one too, you?"
Harry nodded and hauled his backpack, which was heavy due to the lack of feather-weight charms, on.
"Off we go to Olivander's!" Ron yelled, picking up his own bag of books.
Hello! Sorry for the wait but like I said, I've been swamped with school work since the end of holidays. As for my other fics, I will be working on them soon.
The next chapter will be the trio's summers and after that Platform Nine and Three Quarters and the sorting! YAH! HOGWARTS! I'm kind of high on sugar so please excuse me.