Love On Risky Ground

Love On Risky Ground

Chapter 13

Betrayal

The Greens Cottage was in the midst of a raging thunderstorm. Slithers of lightening silently bathed the house in an eerie glow. This was followed by a roar of thunder, which rocked the foundations of the house.

As Harry walked through the hall with a candle in his hand, the floor creaked under his feet.

"Crookshanks, Persia," Harry said, "where are you?" In his other hand he held a big bowl of food for the cats to share. They had to be somewhere.

Harry felt so good to be speaking once more. He had missed the sound of his own voice. After getting used to talking again, his stuttering had diminished and now he was talking like he always had.

After searching the bathroom, he saw an adjacent second bedroom door slightly opened and he peeked through. There, Harry saw Persia, sitting with Crookshanks and he was - licking their newly born kittens! Harry grinned with excitement.

All of the little kittens were squeaking as they lay on a blanket Crookshanks had provided. Their shivering, small and fragile forms were protected by their mother. They were so tiny, vulnerable, and adorable at the same time. Harry walked in, marvelling at the sight, counting the little bundles of new life. Persia had six kittens. Some were white, others ginger like Crookshanks and one had ginger fur with white spots.

Harry knelt down, and placed the food near them; they were all comfortable and warm. "Hey, congratulations! Crookshanks, you're a dad now," Harry said beaming. Crookshanks twitched his whispers and went back to licking Persia.

"Harry," Hermione whispered. Harry turned around and saw her in the room. Hermione's eyes twinkled as she watched the kittens. "Aren't they beautiful?"

"Yeah. Who wouldn't think so?"

Hermione sighed, but her smile vanished and she abruptly became more concerned about Harry. "Where have you been, anyhow? I called you several times. I wanted you to see the kittens," Hermione replied with a reproving look, sitting down by his side. "I was getting really worried."

"Oh, sorry. But I left you a note after you went into town, but I guess you didn't see it. I went up to the stream, because I wanted to thank Vedas for the potions. I caught him basking on the shallows trying to foresee the future. But he told me that in his very old age, his gift seemed to be wearing off," Harry explained.

"Oh, at least he was right about the potions," Hermione replied.

"Yeah. Vedas also told me he'd try and visit us one day at Hogwarts. He wants to have a chat with the giant squid. Apparently the giant squid is famous in the marine world," Harry said, finding his nose nuzzling Hermione's without even realising it.

Hermione blinked, turning her face away from Harry's touch. "Really, why?"

"Well, the giant squid had protected some whales from whalers in the past and he became a hero."

"Oh ... that was brave of him," Hermione said patting Crookshanks. "Come on, let's leave Persia and Crookshanks to nurse their babies." Hermione threaded her fingers through Harry's. "We still haven't celebrated your birthday and that was a week ago!"

"Oh, " Harry said with a rise of his eyebrows. "I totally forgot. I haven't been with it this summer."

"It's to be expected after what you've been through. At least I remembered and I've bought you a cake. So let's go into the kitchen, have dinner and eat the cake before the ants do." They both got up and left, leaving Crookshanks and Persia to admire their little ones.

***

It was a small chocolate cake, with icing and red sugar roses. A white cream scroll said 'Happy Birthday' in its centre and Hermione had dutifully put sixteen candles on top of it to complete the birthday feel. After Harry blew out all the candles, Hermione gazed silently at him, nerving Harry a little.

"What's wrong?" he asked. "This cake is good."

Hermione smiled half-heartedly and scratched her head. "Nothing." She shrugged.

"You're just saying that to not ruin my birthday party," Harry replied, bowing his head. He pulled his plate away and focused on Hermione.

Hermione swallowed. "I'm just thinking about - thinking about Ron and what will happen when he finds out. He sent us a letter when you were out. He sent us our OWLs results."

Harry felt as though a bomb had exploded in his stomach. The feeling wasn't about his OWLs results, but about Ron. "We'll tell him at Hogwarts. This isn't the time to say anything. We'll tell him when everything has calmed down and we're safe, and there's no need for him to be the Secret Keeper anymore." Harry planned. "This will devastate him, there is no doubt about it. We have to do it carefully."

Hermione nodded and played around with her piece of cake, ripping it to shreds with her fork. "I know. It's just that I'm feeling the guilt twofold, yet I want to be with you."

"We will tell Ron when the time is right," Harry said defiantly and breathed deeply so he could cleanse out the emotion in the pit of his stomach. Hermione nodded weakly in agreement.

Silence loomed for some minutes until Hermione spoke again, "Do you want to know your results?"

"No, not really," Harry said. "I'm not in the mood to know at the moment. What did you get?"

"I got twelve OWLs," she said monotonously. "An- and Ron got seven."

Harry smiled. He saw that Hermione wasn't celebrating her results. She said it so dully, like it didn't matter, and it didn't, because the thought of Ron weighed more than academic achievement.

***

Ron had received the news four days before that his best friend was speaking again. Ron actually laughed in joy when he found out. He was absolutely stunned and couldn't believe Harry's luck that he had caught the Salmon of Wisdom. Luckily, Dumbledore was at the Burrow for tea, when Ron told him the news. But the old Headmaster didn't seem stunned about Vedas and Harry's luck. Then again, Ron thought there were very few surprises left to surprise Dumbledore.

This news meant that Harry would be practicing magic again. Ron was pleased. There was no way he would leave his best friend behind, knowing that he would never be able to do magic again. But Ron always had some faith that Harry would speak. He hadn't been sure how, but it didn't matter anymore.

It was a sunny day and Ron had decided to relax outside in the garden under a gnarled tree. He sat down on a rickety bench, absorbing the coolness of the shade. Ron tried to relax, however, ignoring the sounds of breathless gnomes as they scurried along the tall grass was proving to be hard work. Ron threatened to open his eyes and kick one across the yard, but he didn't have the energy to do that and he could almost hear Hermione yelling in his ears about cruelty to animals.

Ron inhaled the summer air, thinking about Hermione and how much he missed her. He hoped he'd see her real soon. The wait, the danger, and the distance were pulling at his heart. Hermione must have felt the same. Ron wondered what she was doing at that moment. Probably telling Harry off about not doing his Transfiguration homework. Ron cringed; he hadn't even started. Never mind I'll just copy off Harry's, Ron thought since he had passed Transfiguration with an E. He hoped Harry had passed Potions just like he had. Ron was happy he passed it, even more so since Snape was dead.

Ron shifted in the shade. He gazed into the heavens and discovered a brown owl circling above. Ron furrowed as he curiously stared at the owl, and thought it must've been important. He stood up and the owl soared down silently, dropping a letter in mid air. He snatched it before it fluttered to the ground and saw his name written on the front. Ron immediately opened it, wondering whom it was from.

Ron,

It's me, Harry. Hope everything is OK at the Burrow.

Listen, Hermione and I want to talk to you. Could you please come down to see us right away? It's something important we want to discuss.

We've enclosed some Muggle money so you can catch a Muggle taxi.

See ya.

Harry.

Ron was clearly bewildered. His heart palpitated; he pondered what was wrong with Harry and Hermione that needed to be urgently discussed. What was it that was so important that they couldn't say in a letter?

The barn owl hooted for attention, snapping Ron out of his troubled thoughts.

"Er, sorry, I'll send a reply," Ron said, scratching his forehead. "Just hold on a sec."

Looking into the envelope Ron found two fifty-pound notes and gazed at them. His father would've been interested in seeing Muggle money. However, Ron sure was holding a lot of money in his hands. He placed them in his wallet and with growing worry entered the house again. He pocketed his wand, and wrote a note, telling his parents that he had gone out for a while. He also wrote to Harry, telling him that he was coming.

Once the owl was out of sight, Ron made his way to the very heart of Ottery St Catchpole with a million thoughts spiralling in his mind. The town was fairly busy, with both Muggles and disguised wizards living together, roaming the streets and doing their daily routine. He couldn't understand why Harry would send such a letter.

Ron spotted Amos Diggory near a bookstore. The man stopped Ron for a small chat. Mr Diggory seemed very withdrawn and depressed, though he kept up a smile. However, his eyes revealed his true emotions. Ron pitied him; after all he had lost his only child over a year ago. But Ron had to keep moving and with the thought of Harry and Hermione in the back of his mind, he said goodbye and rushed across the street.

Ron knew exactly what it felt like to lose somebody close and whom he cared about. He sighed, driving the thought of Hagrid away; too tormenting to recollect. The giant had died on his mission to coax the giants to go on Dumbledore's side. He would miss Hagrid in the coming school year. He wasn't sure if he could look at another potentially dangerous animal without feeling his heart constrict in grief.

Ron made his way to the main road. He had no idea where he was supposed to catch a taxi since he very seldom ventured into the town and he wasn't sure how to herald it. But suddenly out of the blue, a taxi stopped several metres in front of him, skidding slightly. The smell of burnt tires thumped Ron in the nose. He halted and smiled, counting his luck. He then realised, looking up, that there was a Muggle taxi sign near him.

Ron sped up to the taxi, gripping tightly to a piece of paper in his pocket.

The side window was rolled down and the taxi driver, leaned over to hear him speak.

"Um, hi ... can you do long trips?" Ron asked.

The taxi driver with light blue eyes and a thick wiry beard stared at him. "Yes I can. Where do you want to go?"

Ron looked around before he entered the back of the Taxi. He then cautiously took out a piece of paper. Ron made sure the secret of the cottage was safe. It only read: Hearthshire, Bran's bridge.

He sat and belted himself up at the back and slowly gave the man the piece of paper. He looked at the address for a while. The taxi driver's eyes widened. "OK, I'll have to take out my map to see where this place is at, but I'll get you there," he said, turning back with a grin.

Ron gave him a half-hearted smile, still concerned over what his best friends wanted to tell him about.

"So ... visiting a friend?" The taxi driver said as they sped away from Ottery St Catchpole.

Ron's breath caught in his chest, not sure how to best answer the question. "Er, well-no. I lost something there," Ron lied, without a clue as to what he was saying. After that, the man didn't ask anything else, and drove in silence.

Butterflies had logged themselves in Ron's stomach. He breathed deeply as fresh air entered from the rolled down window and hit his face with force. He watched the town scenery turn into a green landscape again as hills and thick clusters of trees passed by.

***

"How much will that be?" Ron asked, his forehead wrinkled in thought.

"Ninety-nine pounds," the taxi driver answered, holding his hand out for Ron to give him the amount. After the change had been given, the taxi sped off again. A thick cloud of dust enveloped Ron and he had to squint so the particles wouldn't irritate his eyes.

He started to walk over the bridge, knowing that the house would be a long walk away. Every now and again he heard a noise behind him, which startled him, and he turned in fright only to see a hare hop past.

"Ron!"

He spun around, smiling at Hermione's voice. "Hermione!"

Ron was thrilled to see her after all this time. She stared back and opened her arms wide. Ron hugged her and they softly kissed. "How are you?" Ron was just so relieved to see her well and safe.

"Oh, everything is fine. Harry's fine," she replied, looking very happy. "Listen, I have to go and find Crookshanks ... he's gone missing."

"Oh, want me to help -"

Hermione shook her head, "No, no, I'm fine. Do you know where the house is ... are you sure?"

Ron looked ahead; the little road disappeared between some trees. "Yeah I know, keep going straight and then turn right at the cross road where it says Greens Cottage, then it should be there ..." he whispered into Hermione's ear with a confident nod. "Harry's there, right? He hasn't gone searching for Crookshanks too?"

"He shouldn't have ... I mean I told him to stay put," she said, playing with her hair. "I've got to really go and find Crookshanks," she gave Ron a quick kiss and ran off into some woods.

Ron watched her vanish. "Be careful," he yelled after her, before continuing on with his journey.

At last he saw the house. Ron stopped with a sigh and knocked on the door, ignoring the blue paint, which was peeling off, revealing termite-ridden wood.

"Hello," he said, knocking some more. But no one was there. Ron stepped off the porch and explored the side of the house. Again no one was there.

Ron walked on, exploring some more, hoping he'd find Harry soon. There was a tree in the backyard and - his mouth dropped. Ron stood numbly. He couldn't think, he felt nothing in those crucial seconds. He hoped what he was seeing was just a bad dream, a mirage at least. Then the realisation stabbed him and a flood of anger, betrayal and disgust filled him.

Harry and Hermione were sitting together under the tree, wrapped in each other's arms. Hermione's expression looked as though she was torn between guilt and love. Ron seethed at the scene and was stunned that Harry even had the nerve to kiss her on the lips of all places. Slowly, Ron's feet begun to move, his hands became tight, shaking fists as he walked towards the kissing two.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Ron yelled in hurt.

***

With a start, Harry and Hermione looked up in horror and saw Ron rounding upon them. His face was a fiery crimson, darker than his hair, and he gritted his teeth in anger. Harry quickly broke away from Hermione. His heart fell at the sight of Ron. "Ron -"

"DON'T YOU DARE FUCKING EXPLAIN! WHAT BLOODY NERVE!" Ron yelled, his eyes full of betrayal.

Hermione cupped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide. Harry stared gaping, lost for words. He didn't want Ron finding out like this. This wasn't how it was supposed to be, and what was Ron doing here in the first place?

"Ron, calm down," Harry said

"CALM DOWN? CALM DOWN? ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS! I JUST CAUGHT YOU KISSING MY GIRLFRIEND - YOUR BEST FRIEND!" Ron abruptly and unceremoniously pulled Harry away from Hermione.

"RON!" Hermione screamed, tears in her eyes. Ron's fingers tightly clutched Harry's clothes.

"SHUT UP, HERMIONE!"

Ron shook Harry. He deserved it as Ron tried desperately to understand what Harry did to him; Harry could see it in his eyes. When shaking wasn't enough, Ron shoved Harry to the ground, ready to throw a punch to his face. Harry squinted while Hermione screamed, pleading for Ron to stop. The blow never came and Harry opened his eyes cautiously to see Ron's fist shaking in the air.

Hermione sobbed. "Please Ron, please calm down. Le-let's talk."

Ron cringed, without bothering to stare at Hermione. "I helped you - and this is what you do to repay me?"

Harry shook in shock. "Ron please -"

"HOW DARE YOU!" Ron yelled into his face. Harry flinched, drowning in guilt.

"Ron?" Hermione tried again.

This time Ron listened and turned to her. He ran his fingers through his hair. "I thought you loved me," he croaked to Hermione. "How could you do this to me? I thought we had something ... me and you."

Hermione dropped weakly, sitting on an overturned bucket crying. "I'm sorry ... I'm so sorry. We were going to tell you when school started," she cried. Harry rubbed his eyes, feeling exhausted.

There was a strange pause. Ron was panting, staring intensely at Hermione like she was a lion's prey ready to be killed.

"Did you ever love me?" Ron questioned her.

"Yes," Hermione cried. "But it changed. I don't know what else to say. I'm so sorry."

Ron shook his head. Harry had never seen him this angry ever before and he knew what betrayal felt like. Ron must have been feeling as though he wanted to hurt them, just like he did when he thought Sirius was his parents' traitor.

"How the hell can love change like that? You decided to love Harry now - throw our relationship away just like that," he said with a menacing click of his fingers. "I can't believe this is happening!" Ron sighed in absolute disbelief. "You're so smart, Hermione, but this has to be the dumbest thing you've ever done."

"It's not dumb. My feelings changed that's all, but I am sorry that I hurt you," Hermione sobbed. "I'm so sorry, Ron."

"I don't think you are," he hissed.

"Ron she's apologised ... she regrets it!" Harry yelled.

"SHUT UP!" Ron shouted, turning to Harry. "You knew perfectly well you'd be hurting me and you couldn't even tell it to my face!"

"We wanted to, but we couldn't. We didn't mean to hurt you," Hermione cried.

Ron ignored her and continued to scrutinise Harry with a look of malice on his face.

"Is this how you treated my trust, Harry?" Ron said with a seething voice.

Hermione started to cry harder; she was shaking under the sobs. Harry wanted to comfort her, but he wasn't sure if it was a good idea since Ron was eyeing him with intense wrath and was almost tempted to hex him. He gulped, wavering on the verge of saying something to calm Ron down.

"No, Ron, I value our friendship. This was something which just happened. We never meant to hurt you."

But Ron wasn't satisfied. "Is this why you wanted to see me in person? To see you two bloody make out?" Ron spat, looking at the two in disgust.

Harry was confused; he had never asked Ron to see them. "Wha- what are you talking about? I never said that I wanted to speak to you."

Ron looked up. "You sent me a letter today!" he yelled, "It was in your handwriting and everything. It was you."

Hermione got up with a gasp as Harry shook his head. "We never sent you anything," he said softly. Horror engulfed Harry, and a dark feeling overwhelmed him.

Ron calmed down. "If you bloody didn't, then who -" his eyes widened.

"We did."

Ron spun around and several Death Eaters suddenly Apparated in front of them. Hermione and Ron simultaneously took out their wands, but the Death Eaters were quicker and disarmed them. "Stupefy!" they yelled.