A/N: Hope you've enjoyed things so far - please keep the feedback coming!
The refresh button of Hermione's browser was getting a workout. Every few seconds, she would reload the page, hoping that the cast list would appear. It was three minutes after nine o'clock, and it had to be going up soon.
"Hermione, you're driving yourself crazy," Hannah said, appearing on Hermione's laptop screen inside a small Facetime window.
"Mrs. Trelawney promised it would be up this evening!" Hermione responded with urgency. "She wouldn't do that to us, it has to go up soon!"
"Yeah, but you know how she is…she can barely use a computer much less figure out how to upload to the internal website. The list will be there when it's there. Until then, no need to freak out."
"You know very well that I'll freak out no matter what you say, Hannah. Besides, Mrs. Trelawney had no problem getting it set up last year. In fact, last year, it was posted just after eight o'clock. So what's the hold up here?"
Hannah took in a mock gasp and clutched her chest. "You're right! It must mean she's decided to scrap the whole thing and run off to Costa Rica or something!"
"Hannah!"
"Hermione!"
Refresh. Nothing.
Dammit!
The callback audition had gone well enough in Hermione's mind. By the time she left, she could tell that Mrs. Trelawney had liked what she'd heard. But she hadn't had her sing songs from either of the main leads, just songs from a completely different musical. That was a strange decision, but she supposed she had to trust her director's methods. It left her no closer to understanding her intentions or leanings, though, which left her practically dying of curiosity.
"Are you at least doing your homework in the meantime?" Hannah asked.
"Oh, I finished that over an hour ago. I knew there was no way I'd be able to concentrate on anything besides this."
"So you've just been sitting in front of your computer and waiting for over an hour?"
A groan escaped Hermione's lips. Maybe it was a bit pathetic, but she didn't care. This was the most important thing in the world to her, and she couldn't help how excited she got about the whole thing.
"Yes. So what?"
Refresh. Nothing.
Dammit!
"So do something! Occupy your mind with something besides waiting."
"I told you, I've already done all my work and all the available extra credit. What else is there?"
Hannah shrugged and heaved an exasperated sigh. "I don't know! Frivolous stuff! Go shoe shopping online, read a funny article, plan your dream honeymoon. Just…something!"
"That all sounds ridiculous."
"Of course it's ridiculous! That's why it helps the time pass!"
Refresh. Noth–
No! A link! A new link had appeared!
"Hannah!" Hermione gasped. "It's there! It's up! The list!"
Her friend's eyes shot back up, meeting Hermione's through their respective cameras. "Well, what are you waiting for? Who got what?"
"I'm opening it, hang on!"
In the brief moment it took the PDF to download onto her computer, several scenarios played in rapid fire through Hermione's mind, each more far-fetched than the last. When the file finally opened, she slapped her hand to her mouth.
"I got it!" she screamed, stepping back from her computer and jumping up and down! "I got Elphaba!"
"Congrats, Hermione! I knew you would! What about me? Is my name there!"
"Oh yeah, sorry sorry! Ahh! Yes! You're Nessarose! That means we're sisters!"
"That's amazing! Aww, sisters. This is going to be so much fun! Lavender got Galinda the Good Witch, I'm assuming?"
"Yeah, of course. She's probably furious. I bet she's making her Dad threaten to withdraw their donation."
"Of course she is!"
Hermione knew she should be celebrating with her friend. They'd been dreaming about having roles together like this for years. But as her eyes scanned the rest of the list, she froze as they became fixated on another name.
"Hannah…" she said without looking up at her camera.
"...so much fun! We can even have a sister's handshake like kids do in elementary school, and–"
"Hannah…"
"...The rest of the cast can know too, but they'd have to know it was our thing first–"
"Hannah!"
"What?!"
"Ron. He's Fiyero. Ron's going to be Fiyero."
The excited screams and cheering simmered, but while Hermione stared around her room in a state of semi-panic, Hannah quirked an eyebrow at her friend.
"That's great! I mean…that's great, right? You told Ron you wanted him to try out. And you know he has the voice for it, so…what's going on? Why are you weird?"
"Hannah," Hermione started with a slow, deliberate pace. "Do you recall what song Elphaba and Fiyero sing together? In Act Two, remember?"
"Oh yeah, As Long As You're Mine. Great song, great duet. I think you two will sound great on it! I'm confused, why do you not seem happy about this?"
"And do you remember what happens at least once by the end of that song?"
Hannah's gaze drifted off-screen for a minute before she looked back. "They…sing the song?"
"They kiss! They kiss, Hannah! I'm Elphaba! Ron's Fiyero! That means that Ron and I are going to kiss right on stage in front of everyone!"
"Oh. Oh! Right, well…look, uhh…better him than Seamus, right? Or Draco! My God, could you imagine?"
But Hermione knew better. If she was kissing another random member of the cast, she would probably have a much easier time. She harbored nothing but mildly nice feelings toward guys like Neville and Seamus and was sure she wouldn't develop any further attraction to them. And with Draco Malfoy…well, that's where her professionalism would have to shine through.
Ron, however, was a completely different story. She and Ron had history. Lots of history. Her daydreams about him hadn't just started the day before. He'd been a constant in her life for so long, and there were times when they had been quite close to…something. The last few years had been a different story, but he was still Ron. How was she supposed to navigate such a delicate moment with someone like him, someone that she had such a complicated and up-and-down relationship with?
"Hermione? Earth to Hermione?" Hannah said, trying to grab her friend's attention.
She gave her head a small shake and refocused on Hannah's face. "What?"
"Wow, this might be a legitimate problem. I didn't realize you had it that bad for him."
"I don't–" Hermione scoffed and tried to laugh away the assertion. "I don't have it bad for him. It's just…tricky."
"But you do have feelings for him, right? Keep in mind that I know you do, so there's really no point in lying here."
"I mean, on some level, how could I not? He was my best friend for years."
"Well," Hannah suggested, "and hear me out here…maybe this is a good thing, then. Look, I'll admit that I don't know Ron that well, but with the way he looks at you and talks to you, I wouldn't be surprised if he likes you too. So, maybe this can be an opportunity of sorts."
Steeling herself for a fight, Hermione took a deep breath. "First of all, you have no evidence that he likes me. He talks to me the same way he's been talking to me for years."
"Then he's liked you for years–"
"Secondly!" she continued, ignoring her friend. "It's acting. Make believe. I'm not actually a green witch in real life, and he's not actually a prince. I'm capable of keeping things professional."
"Yeah, but Hermione, be realistic. Remember when Roger Davies and Fleur Delacoeur had that fling because their characters got together in the show? I know you think you're able to separate things in your mind, but you have to admit it might not be as easy as you think."
"Roger and Fleur had clearly liked each other forever leading up to that show, it was only a matter of time."
"Hmm, weird, sounds familiar…"
It was hopeless. There was no way Hermione was getting out of the argument; she knew a lost cause when she saw one. She might as well just give Hannah what she wanted. Just because she said it out loud didn't mean it would happen. "Fine, yes, you're right. Maybe it'll mean that me and Ron will turn into…something. But maybe we won't. Either way, my main goal is to put on a great show, and regardless of who ended up cast as Fiyero, I'll do my best."
"I suppose that sounds reasonable. Not fun, but reasonable."
"Thank you. Anyway, I should probably get ready for bed. Congrats again, I really am excited to have you as my onstage sister!"
"Me too! It's going to be great! Alright, see you tomorrow…"
"Good night!"
As she flipped her laptop screen closed, Hermione yawned as she leaned back in her chair. It had actually happened. She and Ron would be the lead roles in the school musical.
Even though she might not want to admit it to Hannah, of course it had crossed her mind that being at rehearsal all the time and working that closely together sometimes led to things happening. But although her daydreams would clearly just be intensifying after the casting announcement, she resolved to remain calm and collected on the outside. Just because she often thought of Ron in a romantic way didn't mean he reciprocated her feelings, and the last thing she'd want to do would be to make things weird between them.
No, they would handle things with maturity. Any on-stage romantic gestures would be well acted and differentiated from their real friendship. That was the best way for things to be.
But, if he wanted to keep on kissing after the scene was over, all the better.
Fifth Grade
December 12th
Dear Diary,
Okay, diary, I think it's time. I can tell this to you because you're just a diary and won't tell anyone else, but I really think I need to say it to someone. Promise to keep it a secret? Just between us?
K.
Here goes.
I, Hermione Granger, like Ron Weasley.
There, I said it. And it's true, I really do.
I almost wish I didn't because then things wouldn't be so complicated, but I do, and I couldn't stop if I tried.
It's weird though. We've been spending so much time together lately (I mean almost all the time we're together), but whenever we play, it's only the two of us. He never wants to play with other people around. Like when it's recess he always goes and plays with Harry and Seamus and Dean and the other boys and never wants to come on the swings with me or anything. I KNOW he likes the swings because he likes going on them at my house but he never wants to do them at recess. Maybe its because recess is after lunch and he thought he would throw up. That happened to Lavender one time in third grade and it was really gross.
As soon as school is over though, we walk home together and we can talk about anything. He usually comes over to my house since his can be loud and messy with all of his brothers and sisters. We always have a snack and then I insist that we do our homework before playing. He doesn't like that part but he still does it and I think he likes that he can ask me for help. After that we do whatever we want. Sometimes we go on the swings or listen to music (he says he doesn't like Taylor Swift but he still knows all the words, so I think he's lying) or just hang out in my room and talk for a while.
He told me about how his brothers keep trying to scare him about how hard middle school and high school will be and how it really bothered him. I told him he'll be fine when he gets there and I'll help him if he needs it. He said that makes him feel better which made me feel really good. And then he swept his hair out of his face and did that little lopsided smile that he does. I don't know why but that smile always makes my stomach feel kind of funny. Probably because I like him!
Anyway, I'm not expecting anything to happen but still had to tell someone. So now you know, diary - keep it to yourself!
Love, Hermione Granger, Age 11
The following day started innocuously. Early classes never presented a challenge for Hermione, and while she could tell her focus was less than one hundred percent, nothing they were doing was that challenging or stressful. Every time one of her teachers would start the lecture portion of the class, her mind would start drifting back to Ron. She had thought a lot about what Hannah had said the night before, and while she didn't agree that working with Ron automatically meant she'd fall in love with him, she allowed herself to be realistic about her emotions.
It had been years that she'd harbored feelings for Ron. Everything was very on and off, of course, but they never fully went away at any given time, even the previous year when he backed out of the musical. Through her anger, she still had to admit that she found him attractive, and once or twice she even tried to convince herself that she understood his point of view. Rationally speaking, why would she do that if she didn't truly care about him?
The morning took a turn, however, when a sophomore she recognized from last year's musical came up to her at lunch with a note. It was from Mrs. Trelawney, and she was asking Hermione to meet her after school in the music room to discuss the role. Hermione always enjoyed talking with her theater director, but the woman was known for allowing her performers to make their own choices about the role. It worried Hermione to think that perhaps her director didn't trust her the way she'd trusted other actresses in the past, but she tried not to jump to conclusions.
By the time her final class was dismissed, she'd nearly chewed through her nails, and her curiosity was through the roof. She explained the situation to Hannah, who looked perplexed but tried to calm Hermione's nerves by telling her it was surely just a formality and that Mrs. Trelawney had full confidence in her. Hannah was probably right, but Hermione still packed her things in a rush and hustled down the hallway as quickly as possible.
It wasn't until she was close to the auditorium that she realized she was being followed. Ron was a few feet behind her, seemingly heading in the same direction with the same sense of purpose.
That's odd…
"Hey," she said, slowing her pace and allowing him to catch up. "Congrats on getting Fiyero! You're going to be amazing."
"Oh yeah, thanks," he answered, his cheeks a pale pink. "Pretty cool, I guess. A-And to you too, right? Elphaba, that's…that's the role to have, huh?"
"Thank you, yes, I'm quite excited."
"And…well, where are you off to? Home for the weekend?"
"No, not yet," she responded, pulling the folded note from her pocket. "I got this message from Mrs. Trelawney that she wanted to meet me after school to talk about the show."
Ron's eyebrows furrowed as he dug into his backpack. "Weird. I think I got the same note." They held out their respective notes to compare. "Three o'clock, music room. Yeah. Hmm, that's strange. Wonder what she wants."
"Maybe…yeah, I don't know. Maybe she wants to talk to us about certain…technical elements of our characters? Things that don't have anything to do with the rest of the cast?"
No, that can't be right. Those types of things happen at the first rehearsal…
"Yeah, maybe," Ron responded as he scratched the back of his head. "Oh well, guess we'll find out when we find out. You're pumped, though? You're excited?"
"I am! If I'm being honest, it's the role I was really hoping I'd get, so I'm happy to have the chance to do it."
"You'll do a great job, I know it. I'm sure you already know all the songs by heart anyway, right?" he asked with a grin.
"Maybe…"
Their pace slowed as they approached Mrs. Trelawney's office, and Hermione gently knocked.
"One moment!" Mrs. Trelawney called, "Just finishing up a phone call, be with you momentarily!"
Both of them surveyed the hallway, not really sure what to say next. Hermione couldn't exactly talk about how she'd had trouble falling asleep because she kept thinking about what it would be like to kiss him on stage, even if that's the only thing she'd been thinking about recently.
"Umm, how about you?" she finally posed. "How well do you know this show?"
"I guess I'd heard a couple songs here and there, but I wasn't that familiar with it…until last night, that is."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Once I saw the cast list go up, I watched some videos on YouTube. I like the character a lot, great songs, too," he said, his eyes beginning to dart all over the hallway. "Dancing Through Life looks fun. I'll have to up my choreography game, but hopefully I won't make too big a fool of myself."
"Nonsense, you're super coordinated. That's half the battle."
"And…well, I'm sure you already know this, but we have a song together. You and me. Err, our characters."
"Right, I know," she replied, sensing her neck muscles tightening. "It's a great song."
His Adam's Apple bobbed as he swallowed. "It is, you're right. I saw this, uhh, video. With the original actors, I think."
Oh God, I know what he's talking about.
"Yeah, it looked, you know, pretty intense," he continued.
You mean how their hands are all over each other the entire time and they keep making out with each other because the whole song is about how they probably had sex or are about to have sex? Yeah, I'd agree, pretty intense!
But don't let him know you think that! Deflect! Deflect!
"Those actors are so good. There are a couple of videos of them doing different songs. I mean, we should make the characters our own, of course, but those are good places to start for inspiration."
Ron chuckled, and his gaze dropped to the floor. "Yeah, that's a good idea."
Mercifully, the door to Mrs. Trelawney's office flew open before they inched any closer to less comfortable topics.
"Right in here, my dears, I apologize for keeping you waiting! I promise, I need but a moment of your time!"