Love On Risky Ground

Love On Risky Ground

Chapter 17

The Track Ahead

Mrs Weasley busied herself with cleaning the living room. She picked up Fred and George's experimental blueprints for prank items, which they were working on. They were designs, which had not worked out and were thrown haphazardly all over the place, and she spotted several ink stains the twins made, on the carpet and -

She gasped. "What on earth? FRED, GEORGE!!! Explain why there's an ink blot on your Great Uncle Melvin's face?" she yelled, swishing her wand at the picture, but Uncle Melvin ducked out of the way and out of the portrait.

"Oh, for goodness' sake!" She gave in. Sometimes her children could be such a handful, especially the twins, who had finished school and were starting their own joke business, to her disappointment.

Crossing her arms, Mrs Weasley returned to the couch to pick up more rubbish. She raised herself to drop the rubbish into the bin - but something caught her attention just before she tipped in the contents.

Dozens of envelopes - non-tampered letters addressed to her youngest son. Mrs Weasley turned one of the envelopes over to see Harry Potter's name and address. "Oh dear ... she managed to say with an aching sigh.

Mrs Weasley was not the sort of a person who would invade other people's privacy, but this was something she could not afford to not see. She needed to see with her own eyes what Harry was trying to say to her son, a son who had had his heart broken by his two best friends. Mrs Weasley saw another letter, which was written by Hermione as well.

With pale and clammy fingers, Mrs Weasley gently ripped the envelope open and silently read the contents, her eyes skimming over the information again and again ... breaking her heart even more.

-Please Ron, I don't know how I can survive without you. Ron, I'm sorry. Hermione and I really regret it! You have no idea how much we wished we never hurt you. I miss you so much ... life is just not the same without you.

Harry.

Mrs Weasley folded the letter carefully, her eyes brimming with tears. But her eyes fell upon Ron, who looked straight back at her without a hint of emotion. His eyes were masked with dark circles and he was looking rather peaky. He was deeply hurting!

"Ronald -" His mother shook her head, waving the letter she held in her hand. Her son didn't say anything; he stood frozen with his hands in his pockets, his facial muscles tensed up at the situation he had encountered upon.

"Mum, please ... don't start," he croaked. "I don't want to read them," he said defiantly.

"But why? They really miss you!" Mrs Weasley tried to coax him, still waving the letter temptingly in front of his face. "Look, I understand perfectly what you are going through, dear. I'm as upset as you are. We all are. But they are desperate to try and make amends to you, and they regret it. Otherwise, why are they trying to speak with you?"

Ron shook his head, taking a step back, even though his mother continued following him until she had the letter clasped in his hand.

"Read it, Ron," she whispered, her eyes glowing in maternal warmth and forgiveness.

Ron reluctantly gave in and sighed. "All right!"

***

Platform nine and three quarters was a buzz. Students were talking excitedly about their holidays. Animals were making all sorts of sounds and a couple of first years' parents were crying because they were leaving their children for the first time. A lot of people were cramped in a tiny space with their belongings, as smoke billowed from the Hogwarts Express, getting ready to leave for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Harry had given up looking for Hermione or Ron. He was deeply interested in finding Ron, but the effort was futile given the massive crowd. Harry yanked himself onto the Hogwarts Express and into an empty compartment. Sirius entered a moment later.

As Harry sat down comfortably, Sirius looked around, making sure his godson had gotten everything and was all right. He sniffed the air and looked out of the window, the smells and sounds bringing back memories of his past. "I missed the Hogwarts Express," he said. "It brings back fond memories."

"I don't want to know, Wuffle-Fluffles," Harry chortled. Sirius laughed, pointing a threatening finger at him for calling him that absurd nickname that Remus was calling him too and gazed at Harry for a moment.

"So where's Hermione?" he asked, glancing at his watch.

Harry looked out of the window. "She should be here soon. We are so early anyway," Harry replied. "Then again, Hermione should be here already." he raised his eyebrows in puzzlement. Knowing Hermione, she was never late for anything. She was usually the first to enter the train.

Harry's wonderment was soon answered. He saw a brown haired girl who resembled Hermione carrying a heavy basket in one hand and an ugly ginger cat in the other, who was peeking over her shoulder. She ran past their carriage.

Harry stuck his head out of the window. "HERMIONE!" he yelled, cringing in pain. She turned around with a radiant grin on her face. Harry opened the carriage door and she stepped in, breathless.

Hermione wiped the sweat off her face and smiled at Sirius and Harry. "Hi," she said placing the basket down on the seat and opening the lid to reveal Persia and her kittens.

"How come you're late?" Harry queried.

"Oh!" Hermione flayed her arms and stared at one of the kittens. "Buster went missing in the house, and you will not believe where we ended up finding him."

Harry chuckled, "Where?"

"He had fallen into the toilet." Hermione shook her head. "Honestly ... you're a handful," She scathingly said, pointing at the kitten. "But a very cute handful."

Buster stretched his little neck a bit and meowed. His big yellow eyes were very curious and innocent as he studied his new environment. Harry was almost foreboding a wave of destruction in their compartment.

"Why is he all fluffed up like a ball of wool?" Sirius pointed.

Hermione sat down and flicked her hair behind her shoulder. "I had to quickly dry him off with the hair drier."

"A what?"

"A Muggle appliance," Harry answered.

"Do you mean to say - when Muggles use the drier - they have hair like that?" Sirius crinkled his forehead in thought.

Harry and Hermione laughed. "No!" they said in unison.

Sirius shook his head and rubbed an eye. "I think I should've paid attention in Muggle Studies."

The train sounded a high-pitched hoot, meaning that it was about to leave within a few minutes. Sirius clapped his hands on Harry's shoulders. "Well, I'll see you during Christmas holidays then," he said. Harry grinned. "Hermione, you know you're welcome to visit anytime you want."

"Thanks, Sirius," Hermione smiled, hugging him.

"Sirius ..." Harry stood up and wrapped his arms around his godfather in a manly hug. "Thanks for everything."

"There's no need to thank me, Harry. It is my duty," he replied patting Harry's back. "I better go." He smiled, but then his eyes lit up. "Are you sure you have checked that you have your Invisibility Cloak and Map with you, and some Filibuster's Fireworks?" Harry laughed and nodded. "Good! Because I will be very cross with you, if you had forgotten those very important items," Sirius stressed.

"Bye!" Harry and Hermione waved, sad to leave Sirius while he stared back with a grin on his face, waiting for the train to move. Sirius waved back silently. And then the train slowly began to pull away, the station disappearing from sight.

Harry leaned back in his seat, watching Hermione as the train rattled as it moved faster and faster. The kittens had removed themselves from the basket and had begun playing all over the carriage. Harry spotted Lilac, pulling at his robes with her tiny teeth.

"Well, hello there," Harry said, picking up the little feline and holding her close to his face. Lilac meowed and began licking his nose. He heard Hermione giggle in the background. Placing Lilac on his lap, Harry saw Hermione open her backpack to retrieve something.

"Here, Harry. This is the potion I was talking about at your place." Hermione clasped a tall blue bottle with a stopper.

Harry touched her hand accidentally as he gently took hold of the bottle, and widened his eyes at Hermione, before tearing his sight off her to read the label.

Madam Chevelu's Frizz Free Potion.

No more will your hair look like a feral animal, or a lost tumbleweed. Just applying a few drops of this violet scented potion would make your frizz run for its life. It takes away all tangles and stray strands and make your mop of hair into a gorgeous wonderment.

Warning! This potion literally makes all frizz, etc, run away. So make sure that all pets and other persons are out of the room, otherwise, the frizz will find a new home on them.

Harry snorted in laughter. "Thanks, Hermione." She blushed and pretended to read a book.

Harry gazed at Lilac after she meowed with a determined expression. He placed his hand into his robe pocket and pulled out a purple collar, with a silver disc displaying the cat's name on it. Harry looked at it for a moment; the disc reflected the sun's light and he suddenly remembered Hedwig, missing her. She would've wanted him to have another companion. He would never forget the way she died ... not ever. Harry felt a sudden pang of anger at Dudley and his friends. But he was never going to see them again. That brought warmth back into Harry's heart. Lilac meowed, bringing back Harry's attention to her and he placed the collar around her neck. "There you go."

"How are you feeling?" Hermione said.

"I'm fine." Harry stroked Lilac's fur as she sat on his lap purring. Her little ears pricked up to follow all the different sounds she was hearing.

However, Harry noticed the emotion in Hermione's eyes; she seemed a little worried. She spoke again. "Harry ... you look much paler and thinner," she stated.

"I am better, Hermione," he stressed as he patted Lilac. "I'm just worrying about -"

"Did you see Ron?" Hermione said almost fearfully. Harry shook his head. "He's got to be on the train anyway. And at this moment, I don't want to face him alone in the Prefect's compartment."

***

Ron opened his compartment door, waving goodbye to Ernie in his sombre mood. He wanted to speak to Harry and to get everything off his chest so they could try to put everything about the betrayal behind them. He missed them a lot, there was no doubt about that. It just hurt. He had read the letters Harry and Hermione had sent him, and they had made him think.

Ron started to search for them, peeking into the compartments to see the students' faces. Some had already changed into their school robes while others still sported their normal Muggle or wizard clothes, but there was no Harry or Hermione.

Ron trudged forward through the train, ignoring students playing pranks and games, using their Filibuster's Fireworks or prank items made by the twins. However, Ron had to back immediately against the wall when a weird looking animal, appearing like a translucent blob with flickering lights, hovered past. Ron blinked and shook his head at the student bolting after it, wondering what the hell it was.

He continued looking for his best friends when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Ron spun around, raising his red eyebrows when he realised that the person was Pansy Parkinson, with an evil sneer on her face.

"What the hell do you want?" Ron spat, taking a step back from the Slytherin.

Pansy folded her arms and tilted her head slightly, observing the Gryffindor, still wearing a manic grin, which made Ron very uncomfortable. Pansy sucked in a breath between her closed teeth, and batted her eyelashes. "Did you have a nice summer, Weasel?" she asked in a sarcastic tone.

Ron didn't reply; if he did, he might insanely yell swear words in her face. He narrowed his eyes, his face flushing up.

"Oh, you poor, poor thing ..." She shook her head. "It's too bad Potter didn't die."

"Did Malfoy send you?" Ron asked, controlling his temper. "Couldn't show his ugly face and speak to me in person? Angry that his pathetic father is a fugitive now?"

Pansy snorted. "Weasley, I know you're looking for Potter. And if I were you, I wouldn't go anywhere near his compartment. It looks like he and the Mudblood don't care about your friendship and are snogging like nothing else exists." Pansy turned around and stormed off, leaving Ron to brew over his mingled fury and confusion.

***

At the other end of the train, Harry stood up after struggling to stop Buster from destroying his Quidditch robes. "I'm going to go look for him," he announced. Hermione hesitated before nodding.

Harry got his strength together and gathered his courage to confront Ron and walked out. He gazed into each carriage before passing to a new one. A couple of students strode by, laughing as they joked around, but Harry was not in the mood to smile or even laugh anymore.

He was near the end of the train when Harry caught a glimpse of red hair from the corner of his eye. There, standing taller than he, was Ron, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

For a moment neither one spoke ... tension gripped them. Harry felt a little uneasy by Ron's unblinking stare.

"Er ... Hermione and I were wondering where you were. We want to talk to you," Harry said slowly, a little timidly.

Ron remained silent, almost as though he didn't hear a word that Harry spoke. But then he opened his mouth. "Is that so?" he said icily. "Pansy told me she saw you two snogging, like nothing else mattered, in your compartment."

Harry knitted his brow, anger building up because of the Slytherin's fib. "That's a lie, Ron!" he spat bitterly. "I thought you would know better than to believe a Slytherin!"

"I don't know what to believe anymore," Ron hissed, dropping his arms to his sides. Harry saw his hands were clenched into tight fists. "Harry, I don't care anymore. From all those letters you both sent I thought our friendship was more important. I thought your love for her was a mistake that you regretted ... you can have her!"

"Have?" Harry said, surprised and angered. "Ron, Hermione is not a piece of property! She has feelings and right now she's trying to put our friendship first. We are not even doing what you think. We are ... just ... friends."

"I could always see that you were in love with her too. You might be friends now, but you'll always have something more, won't you?" Ron's face was flushed with anger.

Harry backed up a little, without a word to say. Ron was really hurting and he didn't have a clue how to make it all better again. "Look, yeah, you're right Ron. I did like her more than a friend. What I went through - I needed someone and she was there - and it just developed."

***

Ron shook his head. He thought he had gotten over it, but a new wave of anger burst within him, and it was all Pansy's fault. "Shut up, Harry," he pointed his finger close to Harry's chest. "You've hurt me so much ... you were like a brother to me ... I risked my life being the Secret Keeper for you, and then you go behind my back with my girlfriend." He breathed deeply through his nose, his face in a grimace.

A few minutes before, he was willing to forgive Harry and Hermione, but now ...

Ron turned around and marched off. However, he knew Harry wouldn't give up easily.

"RON!" Harry yelled and rushed behind the red-haired boy.

"Please, I'M SORRY! We both are," Harry yelled. "Please -"

Ron sighed heavily, "I hope you really -"

He halted suddenly, catching sight of Harry who had fallen to his knees, his head leaning against the train wall and his hands resting on his chest. He could see Harry was in excruciating agony.

He hesitated, and simply stood there. For a second, he could have believed that Harry was pretending, hoping to get his sympathy. But Harry wasn't faking his pain; he never would do something like that. Ron took in a shaking breath and walked up to him.

As Harry squinted, Ron caught him whisper, "I'm sorry. I really am, Ron ... please! I miss you. I just want to be your best friend again!"

Ron gulped, feeling as though his heart had constricted. For a moment he had forgotten how to breathe, seeing Harry almost begging for forgiveness. He gripped Harry's arms and pulled him to his feet. Sense and logic flooded back into Ron.

"Are- are you okay?" he asked. Harry barely nodded, cold sweat beading on his face. Ron's eyes lit up in concern. "Where's your compartment?"

Harry pointed to the very end of the train. Ron helped him walk there, some students backed up, wondering what was wrong.

Ron peeked through a window, seeing Hermione staring gloomily out of the window, her hand propping up her chin.

Hearing the door open, Hermione stood up and gasped, quite startled at the sight.

"What happened?" she squeaked, cupping her hand over her mouth, seeing Ron help Harry in.

"I'm all right. No fuss ..." Harry panted.

Hermione helped Harry to his seat, carefully avoiding Ron's eye in her guilt. Ron didn't say a word, just watched Hermione kneel beside Harry and hold his hand. Ron turned his eyes elsewhere, catching sight of the kittens and cats in the compartment.

"Harry, do you want some water?" Hermione asked, as she wiped the sweat off his face. Harry nodded. Hermione zipped her backpack open, took out a bottle of water and handed it to him.

She stood up, rubbing her shoulders. Ron guessed the look on his face was a little intimidating and saw her lips trembling as though she wanted to say something.

"Ron ... why don't you have a seat?" she politely said with a wave of her hand. Ron felt as though he was the enemy.

Ron sat down quickly, watching Harry squint in pain. "It hurts, doesn't it?" Harry nodded. "I have nightmares about stabbing you. But in my dreams, I know what I'm doing. It's always out of my own intent that I want to kill you. I feel really bad that I even have them ... so ashamed." He shook his head in his own misery.

Harry looked into his eyes, but he kept his mouth shut. Ron saw he was thinking, but Harry's face was unreadable and Ron wasn't sure what to think of it.

Hermione rubbed her hands together. "Ron -"

"Let me finish, Hermione." Ron said. He wanted Harry and Hermione to hear his words. He knew they were sincerely sorry now ... he still loved her, but Hermione wasn't loving him back. "Every time I see what I've done in my dream, I keep missing you. I keep missing the both of you."

Harry gulped. "You're still upset, we know. We never meant to hurt you. We were always going to tell you. Then we sent you heaps of letters these last couple of weeks. We always wanted to apologise."

Ron sighed. "I didn't want to reply ... I wanted you two to experience the hurt I felt. But I knew you felt guilty, Harry."

"Ron ... please forgive us, we want you back," Hermione pleaded.

"I see the regret you both feel. I realise that. But, I can never forget what you guys had ... I don't know if I'll ever forget the betrayal," Ron sighed.

"Please, Ron, let's just take it a step at a time. We can't destroy our friendship ... we have to get on with things." Hermione touched his hand.

"You still love Harry, don't you?" Ron wanted to know ... he wanted to know what he thought was going to happen in the future. To fully acknowledge it then and there, would make him sure that he would be able to live with it.

Hermione sat still. Even though it was boiling hot in the train, Ron could see her shivering. She glanced at Harry.

"Um ... Ron," Hermione said, searching Harry's eyes. Harry sat silent. Hermione took in a courageous breath. "Yes, I do, Ron."

Harry ran his fingers through his hair. "I feel the same way, Ron." The words seemed to tumble out of his mouth.

Ron closed his eyes, absorbing the information that he was hearing. He took in a deep breath and didn't say a word for a while. The emotions running through Ron's mind were having a tremendous effect on him. He hated to hear those words, but he had to hear it. Taking in another deep breath, he tried to vanquish his anger, his hurt - everything. Hermione was never going to be with him again and feelings always change.

Ron treasured those moments he had with her. He was so happy when they were together. Nothing that was happening in the wizarding world - the Dark Lord and the evil, which had put Harry in turmoil, ever penetrated those times when he was blissfully being with Hermione.

It was the past now! The future loomed ahead ... possibly more frightening than ever for all of them. Ron had to let go of the thought of Harry and Hermione loving each other. He took a split second to remember what it felt like to nearly lose Harry, to see Hermione tormented - to feel the evil in Voldemort's contorted eyes. And he knew that if he turned his back on them, they would never survive. And he would die in his own torture, knowing that he had lost two precious friends ... all because love had gotten between them.

Ron opened his eyes and blinked, staring at Harry and Hermione who looked as if they had been holding their breaths, their faces ghostly white. He nodded silently. "Okay. Times change, and feelings change, that's what everyone keeps saying, eh?" he spoke. "I just want to know one thing, Hermione."

"What is it?" she said cautiously.

"Those - those times we were together, were you happy, just like I was?"

Hermione felt tears in her eyes. "Yes, Ron." Ron saw Harry relax in his seat.

"Okay ... I - I just wanted to know that." Ron folded his arms with a huge sigh, his eyes bowed down to the ground.

***

Harry saw Hermione wipe her tears away and Ron looking a little depressed, although Harry thought he had found his peace ... they all did. They were all forgiven, but the events weren't forgotten.

"I- I think as time goes on, it will get better," Harry croaked in pain. Hermione nodded with a sniffle.

Ron stood up and opened the compartment door, disappearing into the train. Harry furrowed his brow, wondering if he was upset again. Hermione didn't say a word, sitting close to Harry.

"I hope he comes back," Hermione whispered, patting his face dry from sweat with her robe sleeve.

Ron did come back a few minutes later, carrying Pig's cage and some other possessions. Quietly he took out some parchment, ink and quill and began writing something. He glanced at Harry. "I'm sending a letter to Pomfrey," he said.

"What - what for? I'm fine," Harry gasped, though he could see Ron shaking his head.

"Oh, shut up, Harry, you look ill," Hermione said, "Just stay quiet and relax."

Harry did; he felt tired and a little in pain. He just thought they were making a fuss out of nothing. Then again, he could sense Ron was taking responsibility because of what Voldemort made him do.

"Ron," Harry started, watching Ron take Pig out of his cage, trying to tie the letter onto him as the owl fluttered madly in the palm of his hand. Ron had a determined look on his face, hearing Harry's words. "Ron ... you do know that it wasn't your fault?"

"Everyone keeps saying that! I know it wasn't, but why do I keep feeling that I failed?" He shivered as he let Pig fly out of the window. "You have no idea what it felt like when I saw you dying, Harry ... to know that I was the one who hurt you. I felt as though I should belong in Azkaban." He sat down, taking out the Daily Prophet and pretending to read it, avoiding Harry's eyes.

"The only ones who should belong in Azkaban are Voldemort and his supporters. Not you!"

Harry suddenly thought there was no way that Voldemort would ever set foot inside a cell. He would have to die to be defeated. And Harry had a feeling - an eerie, foreshadowing that he may not live in the end. He shuddered, and tried to think of something else. His last encounter was still too fresh.

"You didn't fail, Ron. As you can see, I'm still alive and well."

"You're not well, Harry; you're ill," Hermione retorted. "Stop trying to make us think otherwise," she said, crossing her arms.

"I think he's just trying to get out of seeing Pomfrey," Ron said quietly, laying the paper aside ... believing his best friend's heartfelt words, it made him feel better to hear him say it.

"I can just hear her right about now, cursing my name." Harry heard Hermione sigh in exasperation; he couldn't help but smile. The interaction was a little strained, but at least they were talking, acting like they always had.

Ron looked down at the Daily Prophet. "Er, I think you guys would want to read this,' he said holding out the paper.

Hermione read the headline of the article, which caught her attention.

The New Vedas Potions Brings Back a Man's Speech After Twenty Years.

Hermione smiled and began reading it aloud. "When the Boy-Who-Lived thought he would never speak again, he met the most unlikely of creatures who gave him the chance to speak again. Vedas, the Salmon of Wisdom, an ancient fish with Knowledge beyond human perception gave Harry Potter a series of potions to help him regain his speech. Mr Potter, who would begin his sixth year at Hogwarts after a frightful summer, had also given the potions to St Mungo's hospital to help others who he could sympathise with.

"And yesterday, Mr Darby, who had not said a word in twenty years after a head injury when he had fallen off a Hippogriff, spoke again." Hermione took a breath.

"You can never keep a secret, can you ... here I am thinking my whole summer was unknown to the wizarding community." Harry shook his head.

"Ah, well, it was all hushed up by the Ministry until you were at St Mungo's. Yeah, there was a front-page article detailing everything from the moment you escaped the Muggle hospital. And the commotion it caused for the Muggles, and wizards and everything." Ron explained, his forehead crinkling as he concentrated.

Hermione rustled the paper and giggled to herself, giving Harry the paper to read for himself.

"Mr Darby picked up his wand for the first time in two decades yesterday. He was so excited, he had to begin using his magic. 'I'm so happy I can use my wand again. It just feels so good to be able to finally summon my missing purple socks.'

"His comment however, was soon interrupted by his mother, who was very cross. When she was asked why she was angry at her son, she replied, 'He destroyed my favourite pot plant when he tried to make the flowers blossom.'

"Mr Darby apologised to his mother, saying that he was still a little rusty, and thought he may need to find his old school books to practice again. His mother, nevertheless, shook her head and said, 'His magic has more than rusted, he's more like a corrupted cauldron.'

"However, there was one thing that they both agreed on. Mr Darby and his mother were so glad about the new lease on life that they are going to make a dedication to Vedas, but they also want to thank the Boy-Who-Lived and Miss Granger - a pretty Muggle-born, for sharing the potion, which has helped them."

Harry folded up the paper and laid it on his lap, next to Lilac who snuggled as he scratched behind her ears. Ron had, in the meantime, bought some food and had passed them out.

It felt good to have finally made up his broken relationship with Ron, to be forgiven. But he knew deep down, that Ron was still coming to terms with Hermione breaking up with him and it would take awhile for him to forget what had happened and move on with his life; it had affected all of them.

For Harry, he looked into Hermione's bright eyes as she grinned, playing chess with Ron in the last hour of the journey. They looked as if they had never fought or betrayed one another ... like they were always best friends, happy to be in their little world.

But Harry felt that the bond between Hermione and himself would never be shattered. And he could feel that one day in the future, when everything about their tragic summer was finally put to rest, Harry could at last feel her embrace without fear or guilt ... without treading on risky ground.