Swept From the Past

Chapter 18: Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes and Snowballs

December had started. Hermione, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Neville were having breakfast in the Great Hall. For the past few days, the main subject of conversation was Lupin. As Hermione knew, the news wasn't encouraging.

"How's Lupin doing?" asked Ginny.

"Not very well," Harry replied sadly. "The healers take care of him. But they don't know how to cure him yet. He was asleep when I came. They were forced to give him a Sleeping Brew. He was too aggressive." Harry sighed deeply.

Hermione's heart tightened. Lupin was like a beast in a laboratory, imprisoned in a cage. But that was the only way to cure him. The girl shivered unconsciously. When she had seen Lupin near the Forbidden Forest, she had been terrified. Especially when she had realised he had transformed before the full moon.

"They need time, Harry," Hermione said. "When Lupin's asleep, he doesn't bite himself at least."

"I'm afraid he'll never be human again," Harry said.

There was a long, awkward pause. Hermione didn't know what to say to Harry. Neither did the others. Hermione felt sorry for Harry. She knew how difficult it had been for him to lose Sirius. Harry considered Sirius a member of his family. In a certain way, Sirius was both a brother and a father for Harry. And Sirius had come to see Harry as a replacement for his old friend, James.

But now, Harry was alone. Harry's relationship with Lupin was different. Hermione felt it. First, Lupin had been their teacher. There was a respect and a distance linked to that role. And second, Lupin was much more reserved than Sirius. He would need more time to become close to Harry. But it had started to happen, as Harry said. And now, Harry had lost Lupin too. That wasn't fair. Hermione could read the pain on Harry's face.

"You should keep hoping," Neville replied. "That's all that you have, but it's something."

Hermione noticed he looked sad too. She remembered seeing his parents at St. Mungo's last Christmas. They were insane and couldn't recognise him, because of Bellatrix Lestrange. Neville must know how Harry felt. Harry looked awkward. He understood what Neville meant.

"You're right," Harry responded.

"Did you see Professor Burns in the Shrieking Shack this time?" Ron asked.

"No," Harry replied. "But the healers said she came in the morning."

Hermione could not imagine that Burns had been so close to Lupin and that they had been like brother and sister. But Hermione didn't know how Burns was before. All that she knew was that Burns had suffered a lot. Burns' story remained an enigma.

"I'm glad Professor Burns is back in class," Ginny said. "Snape was awful. I've never seen him so on edge. And yet, it's Snape!"

"Yeah," Ron replied. "He even punished Malfoy when he cheated on the exam!"

"Have you noticed his hair was less greasy?" Ginny continued. "And his complexion is more... you know, human. Maybe he's wearing magical make-up? And his teeth even look whiter!"

"I didn't notice," Ron said. "Are you sure? This is Snape we're talking about, isn't it?"

"Yes," Ginny replied.

"Could be Polyjuice Potion," Ron retorted. "Imagine Snape using Gilderoy Lockhart's 'I-take-care-of-me' products for hair, face, and teeth. Scary!"

"He gave me detention today and took fifteen points from Gryffindor," Neville replied. "I thought he would have killed me when I splattered the contents of my cauldron on the floor. Believe me, that's Snape."

"So he must be ill," Ron responded. "He's turning mental. What else?"

"Yesterday evening before dinner," Ginny continued, "I met him in the corridors. And I'm pretty sure he was wearing cologne."

"Snape was wearing cologne?" Neville asked.

"He wasn't in the Great Hall for dinner," Ron retorted. "Hey! Maybe he had a date with a Goblin?" He laughed.

Harry and Hermione stared at each other. Hermione knew they thought the same thing. Snape probably did this for Burns. It seemed that, for the first time in his life, he took care of himself. But if he meant to seduce Burns, it wouldn't be easy. Burns didn't seem to let men approach her. Given what Hermione knew of her past, that wasn't surprising.

Hundreds of owls flew in the room to deliver mail.

"Pig!" Ginny exclaimed.

Pigwidgeon flew around her. Hermione noticed that Neville blanched. Since the day he had almost passed out because of Pigwidgeon, he looked always ill at ease when he saw the owl. For once, Pigwidgeon delivered a letter without causing drama.

"It's from Mum!" Ginny said.

"Gibf id to be," Ron replied, his mouth full.

Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron made a pig of himself. Pig! That was a better nickname for Ron than for his owl. 'Pigweasley!' Hermione mocked silently.

Ron took a drink from his glass, then read the letter. He grinned.

"Harry!" He exclaimed. "You know what? We're going to spend Christmas at Hogwarts with you!"

"What?" Harry asked.

"Mum says Dad spoke with Dumbledore," Ron replied. "And the whole family, except Percy," Ron grimaced, "will be here for Christmas!"

Percy. Although Hermione had always liked Percy, she thought he was too stubborn and careerist. Ron had said Percy was still mad at his parents. Percy had accepted the idea of Voldemort's return. But he was convinced Mr. Weasley should have tried another job within the Ministry of Magic for his family. That if his father had flattered influential people, the Weasleys could have been rich, instead of having money problems all the time.

"The Weasley clan in Hogwarts for Christmas?" Ginny said enthusiastically. "That's great!"

Hermione was glad too. She had planned to spend Christmas at Hogwarts with Harry. But it would be better if the Weasleys were also there. Even if Ron was among them. She still wasn't speaking to him. Hermione was rather happy they didn't speak to each other. It was easier that way to forget about her strange feelings for him.

"And we'll go and see Fred and George in Diagon Alley!" Ron continued. "Dad will come to Hogwarts through the Floo Network. He got a special authorisation. We'll spend a whole afternoon there!"

Hermione was curious. She had heard a lot about the Weasleys' new premises in Diagon Alley. Seeing it herself would be rather interesting!

"Yippee!" Ginny exclaimed. "Maybe Neville and Luna could come with us?"

"I don't know," Neville said. "Luna goes home. And I'll spend Christmas with Gran, so--"

"What if we met in Diagon Alley?" Ginny interrupted.

Neville thought. "That's an idea," he said. "I'll ask Gran."

"And I'll ask Luna!" Ginny said. She stood up and went to the Ravenclaw's table.

Hermione smiled. She knew that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had probably decided to spend Christmas at Hogwarts when they had learnt about Lupin. That was nice of them to think of Harry. Finally, no one would be sad for Christmas.

Hermione cast a quick glance at the teachers' table. Snape was speaking to Professor Burns. But Burns seemed to ignore him. At least, she stared at her plate and didn't turn her head to him. Neither did she reply. Although Snape was Snape, Hermione felt sorry for him. No one would be sad for Christmas? Well, maybe that wasn't true.

***

The twenty-second of December arrived. Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Ginny followed Mr. Weasley up Diagon Alley. The street was full of people, arms full of packages. Mr. Weasley stopped in front of Gringotts. He said he would find everyone later in Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. The teenagers met Neville and Luna at Flourish and Blotts. Hermione insisted on entering the shop. She wanted to see the newest books they had received. She heard Ron make a nasty comment to Harry about her obsession with books, but she ignored him. Half an hour later, she realised everyone was getting impatient to leave. She sighed and reluctantly left the thrilling book she had found about the Goblin War. Everyone took off in the direction of Fred and George's joke shop at number ninety-three, Diagon Alley.

Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes was a shop that couldn't go unnoticed. A large, lighted sign could be seen from the street. A big, shiny letter 'W' flashed and changed form. At one moment, it looked like a sleepy bat; then it transformed into vampires' teeth and dripped blood on the passers-by. Near the 'W' floated the inscriptions 'Wizarding Wheezes,' the one above the other. The colour of the words changed, then their size. The words grew bigger and bigger and finally exploded, throwing golden powder everywhere. The golden powder transformed into fairies, who danced together and flew happily to the 'W,' where the 'Wizarding Wheezes' words reappeared. Devil laughs and sounds of thunder came from inside.

"Whaw!" said Ron. He looked really impressed.

Hermione was impressed too, but she didn't want to give Ron the impression she was interested in his remark.

"They did a good job!" exclaimed Harry, when they moved close to the shop.

"Yeah," replied Ginny, a smile on her face.

"Do you think that's real blood?" asked Neville. He stayed too long under the sign and was splattered by the red liquid, which dropped from the vampire's teeth. "Oh no!" he exclaimed. "Gran will kill me! I hope the stain can be cleaned!"

"Dad says that people can be transformed into vampires with just a drop of blood," Luna said.

Neville blanched. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"You must be bitten by a vampire to transform into a vampire," Hermione replied. "And you also need to drink his blood."

"Dad says that he knew a man who went to Transylvania and was transformed that way," Luna retorted coldly. "With just a drop of blood. He even wrote an article about it!"

Right. An article in The Quibbler was obviously the proof. Hermione sighed, but kept silent. When Luna looked away, Hermione threw Neville a reassuring look to tell him that was rubbish. Neville's worried stare changed into an expression of relief.

The group entered. The shop was crowded. The room was full of all sorts of noises: chattering, laughter, thunder, and lots of explosions. It was difficult to speak in such an ambience. George stood behind the counter, taking care of the cash register.

"George!" Ginny exclaimed suddenly. She jumped in her brother's arms. "This place is always so cool!"

Hermione wondered how Ginny could distinguish George from Fred. They were so alike!

"Hi Gin'!" George replied. "Hi everyone!" he added.

"Where's Fred?" Ginny asked loudly.

Hermione found the noise really disturbing.

"I guess he's in the stock room," George cried. "There's lots of demand and the shelves are emptying quickly!"

Fred appeared from a door hidden at the other end of the shop, a carton full of merchandise in his arms.

"Fred!" George called as loudly as he could. Fred turned back and made a sign with his head.

"Can we help?" asked Hermione.

"Well," replied George. "Maybe you could help Fred stock the shelves. We're rather busy today!"

Hermione, Harry, Neville, and Luna stepped toward Fred. Ron stayed with George. Of course, when it was about helping, Ron Weasley was the last person on the planet to help!

"Hi!" said Fred. He looked exhausted and sweaty.

"We're here to help you," replied Harry.

"I won't refuse it," retorted Fred. "The items are all priced. I just have to put them on the shelves, but that's tiring! And everyone asks me for something!"

Hermione took many articles from the carton. She took a big handful of Portable Swamps and suggested that Neville take care of the Kissing Lipsticks. Giving Neville a Portable Swamp was too risky. He was so clumsy! And Fred and George had enough work without having a 'swamp accident.' Hermione quickly finished putting the items on the shelves.

"Could you come with me?" Fred asked her. "I need help with a mean carton in the stock room!"

Hermione nodded. She followed him and entered the room. Cartons were piled all around. One of them had fallen over. All its contents had spilled on the floor.

"A little accident," Fred said. "Never try to eat a sandwich and lift a full carton at the same time. I couldn't juggle both. And I was hungry!" Fred winked. "Stomach is sacred!"

Hermione smiled. She knelt down and helped Fred to sort out the articles.

"So," Fred said to her, when they had almost finished. "Do you want to try our Kissing Lipstick? I could give you a sample!"

"Well," Hermione replied awkwardly, "since I have no one to kiss... I don't think that would be useful."

"You could try on Ron," Fred replied.

Hermione blushed. The sudden image of her kissing Ron had a strange effect on her.

"Er..." she replied, "no, thank you. Ron is just..." She didn't end her sentence. Who was Ron? A friend? That's what Hermione would have replied before, but... Now, she didn't know how she could call him. Now, she didn't really see him as a friend. However, he seemed to see her that way. So... on the one hand, they were friends, and on the other hand, they were not. How complicated!

"He's just what?" asked Fred with a suggestive smile.

"A cretin," Hermione replied.

Fred burst into laughter. "That's right," he retorted. "Ron's a cretin. I think Mum adopted him. He was raised by baboons before coming to live with us. That's why he doesn't have the Weasleys' outstanding charm! Just a few fleas."

Hermione laughed. That was a good portrait of Ron, except for the fleas maybe. And actually, she was not sure about the fleas.

"Ginny wrote that Ron teased you about Viktor Krum," Fred continued. "That's rather surprising, since Krum was one of Ron's idols before you met him. Think of that," Fred added. He took the carton and left the room.

What did that mean? Hermione knew that Fred was right, but she didn't know why Ron had changed his opinion. After all, he had met Viktor at the same time as she had. Maybe he had been disappointed. That was the risk, when you met your idol. She didn't think it could be linked to her. Ron was not... Ron couldn't be, that was just Ron. Hermione put those ideas out of her mind. Ron had never shown any interest in her. Never. And that would never change. Hermione felt confused. She should change her mind right now, or she would keep blushing in front of that stupid red-haired boy!

But when she opened the door to leave, she bumped into him.

"Er..." Ron said awkwardly.

"Oh, shut up, you!" Hermione replied furiously.

"But--" Ron uttered.

"I won't speak to you... ever!" Hermione exclaimed. She turned red. Then she went to the opposite corner of the room.

***

Two days later, Hermione descended the stairs of the girl's dormitories to go to her common room. Ginny was alone. She was seated on an armchair. She seemed to be waiting for Hermione.

"Hi Ginny!" Hermione said.

"Hi!" Ginny replied. "The boys are outside. I waited for you. There's something I want to ask you."

Hermione was intrigued. "Of course," she responded. "What can I do for you?"

"Reply to a question," Ginny retorted. "But first, you should sit down."

"All right," Hermione uttered. She felt both curious and ill at ease. Why did Ginny want her to sit down? Was it a serious question?

"Ok," Ginny said. "Are you in love with Ron?"

Hermione didn't reply. She was too shocked by the question. That had been unexpected and direct. A little too much. Was she in love with Ron? She had never admitted that, even to herself. She felt redness going up her face. She bit her lips not to smile. But did she smile because she was happy or embarrassed? Difficult to say. Hermione was confused.

"So?" Ginny asked.

"Er..." Hermione replied, "er..." She cleared her throat.

"I knew it!" Ginny exclaimed.

"No... er... I..." Hermione said. "I just... er... er..." Well, what a wonderful response! Very appropriate! She looked like a lobster with language trouble. Hermione wanted to disappear into the floor.

Ginny stared at her. She grinned. "So how did it happen?" Ginny asked. She looked thrilled to know more.

"Er..." Hermione said, "nothing happened."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "I mean how did you fall in love with him? Was it something he said? No, it can't be. Something that he did, maybe? But Ron doesn't do much," she continued, deep in thought.

"I... I don't know if I'm..." Hermione stopped. It was too difficult to utter the rest of the sentence.

"...in love with my silly brother?" Ginny continued. "If you can't tell you love him, that must mean you do!"

Hermione frowned. She didn't get Ginny's reasoning. She felt a little upset. Ginny was younger than her, and she knew more about feelings? Not likely!

"So how did it happen?" Ginny asked again.

"I... I don't know," Hermione repeated. "It just... it just happened." She had said it. She had finally said it. She felt relieved. But on the other hand, she was terrified. She felt anguished. She had just shared a heavy secret that she had even hidden from herself.

"You won't tell him, at least?" Hermione asked. She panicked.

"No," Ginny responded. "But I'll probably kick his arse! He keeps annoying you! He should tell you he loves you, instead of insulting Krum all the time!"

"Oh," Hermione uttered. She blushed even more. "Ron doesn't love me! He's just jealous of Viktor because he's a famous Quidditch player!"

"You bet?" Ginny replied. She looked amused.

Hermione's heart pounded fast. Was it true? No. Ron had never shown any kind of interest in her. Ginny had a great imagination.

Ginny stood up and looked through the window. "Oh, Hermione!" she exclaimed. "Charlie and Bill have arrived! They're having a snowball fight with Fred, George, Ron, and Harry! Come on. Let's go!"

Ginny was in such a hurry that Hermione hardly had time to grab her coat. Ginny seized Hermione's arm. They burst out of the Gryffindor common room. A few minutes later, they ran outside.

"Ginny, wait!" Hermione said. "We're outnumbered. The boys will gang up against us!"

"Bill and Charlie will never attack us," Ginny laughed. "My oldest brothers always defend me!" She pulled on her red, woollen gloves, leant over, and packed a snowball.

Hermione shivered. She was cold. She was usually amused by snowballs battles, but not now. She felt strange. She wanted to go inside and warm herself up in front of the fire. She didn't want to see Ron, who wore this ridiculous mauve bonnet his mother had knitted for him.

Ginny ran after Fred - or maybe it was George - and pelted him with snowballs. The other twin ran after Ginny to defend his brother. Charlie and Bill were busy battling against Harry. Suddenly, Hermione felt something cold hit her back. She turned around. A big snowball landed right on her face. She wiped her face. Ron stood a few meters in front of her. He burst into laughter.

"Ronald Weasley!" she exclaimed. She felt infuriated and wanted revenge. She ran after him. Ron escaped fast. Hermione quickly picked up snow and threw it at Ron. Then she finally managed to catch him. They fell together on the ground, away from the others.

"You'll see, Ron!" Hermione threatened. She removed his ugly cap. She took a big handful of snow and splattered it onto his red hair. She ruffled his hair to make it untidy, rubbing the snow in for good measure.

"Mercy!" Ron implored. He was laughing hard. Hermione continued for a few seconds, then stopped. She didn't expect Ron to take advantage of the temporary truce. He picked up a handful of snow and plopped it on her messy hair. He mussed her hair exactly like she had done to his, except that he suddenly leant and kissed her.

Hermione was surprised. She instinctively recoiled from this unexpected kiss. But Ron didn't relent. He put his hands around her neck, moved forward, and kissed her again softly. This time, she didn't stop him. She gently put her hands on his shoulders. She closed her eyes. Her heart pounded fast. She felt clumsy, awkward, and thrilled, but it didn't seem to bother Ron. It was her first kiss, but she thought it was rather good. The kiss ended finally. She opened her eyes. Ron looked at her questioningly.

"Was it better than with Vicky?" he asked.

"What?" Hermione exclaimed. She hit his shoulder briskly and pushed him violently back. "Cretin!" she shouted. She stood up quickly, leaving Ron seated on the snowy ground.

"But... Hermione," she heard Ron say from behind. She didn't turn back and went to find her friends. She was really furious. Ron had finally kissed her just to know if he kissed better than Viktor. He had spoiled everything!

"Hermione!" Ginny said. "Where have you been? I needed help to fight against Fred and George!"

"I'm here now," Hermione replied. She tried to hide her irritation, but it was not easy.

A few snowballs flew in the air. Hermione noticed the Headmaster and Professor Snape walking up to the castle. Unfortunately, they walked right into the snowball fight without noticing. Professor Dumbledore was hit by a snowball. Hermione gasped. But the Headmaster laughed.

Snape stared at them all meanly. "Stop this ridiculous game!" he hissed. A big snowball hit the back of his head. He scowled and turned around.

Professor Burns was walking to the castle. She stared at a book in her hands, as if she was focused on her reading. She whistled innocently. But Hermione had seen her. Burns had approached from behind, packed snow in her hands, and thrown it at Snape.

Snape probably noticed the remaining traces of snow on her black, leather gloves. He raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"What a woman!" Fred exclaimed.

Snape looked at him crossly.

***

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