Chapter 6

Harry couldn't help but lament the fact that he was inside today instead of out of the Quidditch pitch with his team. Ever since his Quidditch injury, he hadn't been allowed to participate in his team's practices; the position of captain was filled temporarily by Ginny since she was the only player to have been on the team the previous year. Today was supposed to be his first practice back, but a sudden and unexpected torrential downpour facilitated the cancelation of today's practice. He couldn't help but groan as he made his way back to the Gryffindor Common Room, where he would find his two best friends.

To say that things had been tense since his stay in the Hospital Wing would be an incredible understatement. His relationship with Hermione remained relatively unchanged. In fact, their relationship was as strong as it was before the incident in the broom closet, maybe even better. He was relieved that the awkwardness of the last couple weeks was left at the way side and they could interact normally once more.

Their relationship with Ron however, wasn't nearly as simple. On Harry's side of things, most of the time it appeared as if nothing was different between him and Ron. It was when their conversations would die down that Harry would detect the tension in the air. A few times he happened to catch Ron's heated glances towards him but his friend would drop it as soon as he thought Harry would notice. His gaze was especially heavy when Ron would see him and Hermione interact.

Ron and Hermione's relationship was also in a state of flux. The pair would commonly be seen arguing in a frequency that would rival any of their previous spats before they got together. It didn't escape Harry's notice that whenever Ron saw him and Hermione together, he would insert himself into the conversation and would refuse to disengage himself from Hermione's side. In all honesty, all Ron's behavior did was aggravate him. Thankfully, some of the tension was avoided to Hermione's absence from Gryffindor Tower as Harry and Ron finally made it back.

Once they both got changed, they sat down in their usual chairs by the fire and began working on their school work as they waited for Hermione. As anticipated, Harry noticed the barely there glare that Ron was aiming at him, and Harry couldn't help but liken it to the similar looks that Ron gave him when he thought Harry entered the Triwizard Tournament. He'd had about all he could handle, before the arrival of Hermione interrupted his near outburst.

When she saw the two of them, she quickly strode her way over to them, beaming initially with each step.

"Harry," she then turned towards Ron, the smile that was just on her face fell a little, making her expression seemed a little forced, "Ronald." It wasn't lost on either Harry or Ron that her tone was significantly cooler towards her boyfriend, nor the fact that she used his full name. She sat down opposite the pair of them and she too began working on her homework in silence.

The encounter remained as such for several minutes, making Harry cringe internally. Was this the fate of him and the only true friends he had ever had? To not talk to one another until they all slowly drifted apart, never to once again attain the comfortability their relationship used to have. The more he thought about it, the more he didn't want that to happen, so he decided right then and there that this had to stop. They had to repair their friendships no matter the cost.

"Have you had any success with Slughorn Harry?"

"No. He's still avoiding me. I think he's on to what it was that I want to ask him and he seems dead-set on not being alone with me," he threw his arms up in the air in exasperation, "I don't know what else I can do to get through to him. How's Dumbledore expect me to get anything from him when he avoids me like Dragon Pox."

Hermione tried to reassure Harry by laying a hand on his shoulder, an action that didn't slip Ron's notice. His eyes narrowed slightly before he redirected his attention back to his work, mumbling something under his breath about luck.

"What was that Ronald?"

Ron looked up expecting an angry Hermione but instead found a thoughtful one. Confused as to what she meant, the words slipped past his lips before he realized what he was saying.

"I said that all he needs is luck." The way he originally meant it wasn't the same, but in all honesty, Ron was as tired as the others with their recent friendship troubles.

"That's it Harry!"

"What is?" said both Harry and Ron at the same time. Hermione was currently giving them a look that asked how they hadn't figured it out themselves. She opened her mouth to tell them outright, but remembering the sensitive nature of Harry's assignment, leaned forward and told them in a whisper.

"If all he needs is a little luck, then we know where we can get some of that."

Harry's eyes widened as it finally dawned on him. "The Liquid Luck!"

He quickly bolted from his seat and bounded up the steps to his dormitory two steps at a time, Ron and Hermione hot on his heels. Once at his trunk, he quickly began tossing its contents carelessly onto the floor until he found the old pair of socks where he kept the bottle of Felix Felicis.

The trio quickly set a plan in motion, well mostly Hermione. The two boys knew better than to argue with her when she got like this.

"Remember, Slughorn should be in his office right now. Once you've taken the potion, head right there and ask him." Harry nodded his understanding and pulled the stopper of the top of the bottle. He made to down the potion in one go but hesitated slightly, suddenly looking very pensive.

"What's wrong mate?"

Harry didn't say a word for over a minute, the look in his eyes showing that he was clearly grappling with something.

"It's just that… is this the right time to use this. I always kind of figured that I'd keep hold of it for…" He would've c Hermione quickly cut him off.

"Harry. Nothing is more important than finding out what Slughorn knows. We're running out of time and this may be our only chance." Harry didn't seem completely convinced, so Hermione attempted to placate him a little. "How about you only take some of it now. That way we have some for later."

He nodded his agreement before taking a single gulp of the potion. The visual effects were noticeable in and instant; it appeared to his companions that this was one of the only times that they had seen Harry truly relax since the debacle at the Department of Mysteries.

"How do you feel?" Harry stared blankly ahead for a few seconds before a small smile graced his lips.

"Brilliant! I'm going to see Hagrid."

"Harry no! you need to find Professor Slughorn, remember?"

"I know Hermione, but I feel like I need to go to Hagrid's, understand?"

Both Hermione and Ron shook their heads, not truly understanding what had happened to their best friend, but they weren't able to ponder it for long before he began to head back towards the stairs. He managed to open the door a hair, but he stilled as if he was hit by sudden inspiration, before turning around and heading back over to the other two. He first made his way over to Ron and placed a hand on his shoulder. Ron met his gaze and was slightly startled by the far-away look that occupied Harry's expression.

"Look Ron, I know that the last few weeks have bit a little off between us, all of us, but I don't want our friendship to be ruined by whatever is going on between us. I'm sorry that you've had to live your whole life constantly in the shadow of your older brothers, but please don't let it drive a wedge between us mate."

Ron was taken aback by Harry's earnestness. Inside, he knew that he had jealousy issues, hell, the weeks after Harry's name came out of the Goblet of Fire was a perfect example of such, but he had never really taken the opportunity to consider how his jealousy affected others. In fact, when he really thought about it, he knew deep down that he had a lot that, when compared to Harry, he could truly be thankful for. Loving parents, supportive siblings, a place that he could call home; what did Harry have. He gave Harry a nod, causing his best mate to smile widely, before looking between him and Hermione.

"Thanks Ron. I'm glad I have my two best friends back," and with that, he finally turned and left to go down to Hagrid's. Though Ron and Hermione were still confused by his choice of destination, what really had them thinking was Harry's final words before he left. His words hit them unexpectedly hard, realizing that they needed to have a conversation about their own relationship.

"He's right you know," Hermione began hesitantly, "We've all been distant lately." She waited for Ron to meet her gaze but it almost seemed like he was too ashamed to do so. "What happened?"

"I don't know," Ron replied, finally lifting his head to acknowledge his girlfriend. "I want to say it started after Harry was in the Hospital Wing, but if I'm being honest, it's been starting ever since Christmas."

"What do you mean Ron?" Ron only lowered his head, as if he couldn't look Hermione in the eye. Hermione tried to reason what Ron was talking about but it surprisingly came to her with little effort.

"Were you jealous?" His silence was just as a loud as any omission. "Because of what? Because I wanted to us to spend more time with Harry?"

"What was I supposed to think? You were there with him every day after the Quidditch game; you only ever came once after I took that potion."

Hermione let out a huff, "You were only there for two days Ron. Harry was there for a week. Besides his injuries were life threatening."

"What was I supposed to think? You two are so fond of each other, I couldn't help but feel the way I did." His voice was pleading as if he hoped that Hermione would see things from his perspective, but he knew that that was a long shot.

"It's not a competition Ron. You don't have to compare yourself to Harry."

"You think I don't know that," Cried Ron, raising his voice for the first time during this argument, "I know that Harry's had a hard life and that I should be thankful for what I have…" he paused to consider his words carefully," but it's hard when I can tell that you care for each other."

This gave Hermione pause. It wasn't his words that got to her, they had touched her and Harry's relationship earlier. No, it was his conviction that startled her, as if he was so sure on what he said. Hermione's mind raced as she thought back to her recent interactions with Harry. Since Ron started acting cold to her and Harry since his accident, she couldn't refute that she had gotten closer to him. In all honesty, things have been changing between them ever since the incident in the closet. But she still couldn't answer the all-important question.

Did she care for Harry like that?

She had never entertained the notion prior to this, but now that it was implanted into her mind, she couldn't shake it. Still, it didn't matter right now. Right now, saving her relationship with Ron was more important.

"Ron…" she cringed slightly at how airy her voice sounded but sensed that the situation had a sort of finality to it.

"No Hermione. I can tell that you're conflicted right now. The look in your eyes is all I need to know that." He looked at her with a sad smile, one that was both reassuring but heartbroken at the same time. She opened her mouth to try and get a word in edge-wise but Ron beat her to it.

"I think we should take some time to ourselves Hermione, find out what we really want." She opened her mouth again to argue but Ron raised his hand to stop her. "I know deep down that You didn't mean it, I've known you long enough to realize that, but…" he choked on his words slightly, letting her onto to how truly eaten up he was, you can't expect me to be okay with this overnight."

He then stood up and kissed Hermione on the top of her head before heading towards the door. He stopped momentarily to turn around and give her one last sad smile, before he left the Hermione alone with the one thought that persisted in her addled mind.

What exactly did she want?

AN: Hey it's been a little while. School has been hectic lately so I haven't had as much time as I would like to work on any of my stories. Thankfully, there's only about a month left in this semester, which hopefully means that I will be able to commit more time to writing.

This chapter was a little difficult to write because I wanted to try and find a way for Ron and Hermione's relationship to end without ruining their friendship.

I want to put this out there now, before someone complains in a review about this. Even though, Ron and Hermione's conversation was kickstarted by the Felix Felicis, I feel as though realistically, their conversation could have gone this way. If Harry and Hermione forgive Ron and repair their relationship time and time again, then why can't Ron and Hermione in this instance.

The way I see it, there's probably about 4 or 5 chapters left so look for things to move along at a nice pace.

As always, thanks for reading!