Getting His Attention

Getting His Attention

After I had repaired Harry's glasses, I introduced myself.

"I'm Hermione Granger," I said, looking smugly over to the boy with the flaming red hair. "And you are?"

"Ron Weasley," he said, with a mouth full of chocolate.

"Pleasure. You two had better change. I think we are almost there," I said getting up and leaving.

Before I left, I turned to look at the boy with the red hair. "I must get to know him better," I thought. "He could possibly change my life." But the stupidest thing came out of my mouth.

"You've got dirt on your face," I said,

That night did change my life. "I will never be the same, " I thought, sitting in an extremely slow class of Professor Binn's. Then fingers snapped in front of my eyes.

"Hermione, class is over. And why is your parchment blank? That's a first!" Ron said, waiting for me.

"Oh my- uh mind was on something else," I said as I fumbled with my un-opened inkbottle.

We walked out into the distorted corridor. Everyone else was heading down to the Great Hall for dinner, but we were walking up to the common room, to put our heavy load of books down. I wasn't very hungry that day. Ron left the common room quickly but came back with sandwiches, pumpkin juice, and pumpkin pastries. He had snuck down into the kitchens to get us a small meal. Ron sat beside me on the couch, staring into the fire grabbing a sandwich every time he finished one. I couldn't help but to stare when he ate. He was the first I felt this way about. Yes, I had liked Krum, but not the way I do Ron. Being with Viktor made me more aware that I cared for Ron. As I sat there I realized that I've never gotten his attention. Not once since I have known him. Yes, he did know I was there, but I never caught his eye in that way. We had always been just friend in his book. Nothing more, just friends. I wanted more oh, so much more then just friends. How though? I'd have to grab his attention some how. I guess I could stop arguing with him. He might notice me then. It seems he only notices me when I am mad at him. That annoyed him and caused him to notlike me. No, arguing is out of the question. I haven't argued with him since the summer. So what could I do? What possibly could I do?

"Now class, today we will learn how to make an advanced shrinking potion," Professor Snape explained. "Can anyone tell me what will happen to the person who drinks it?"

I did the most amazing thing. I didn't raise my hand. The whole class turned my way expecting for me to answer, as I looked down at my desk and said nothing. Ron looked at me open mouthed.

"Does no one know the answer?" Snape snapped.

The room went deadly silent. Everyone was still looking amazed at me for not showing off and answering Snape's question. I sat there not moving or saying anything. Everyone was still waiting. Professor Snape begun to tell the class what would happen to the unfortunate person to drink the potion. I wasn't paying attention to him. My mind was elsewhere as I awaited his instruction.

The class went by quickly after that. Snape was once again hovering over Neville's table. Toad in hand, he took a small dab of Neville's potion and put it on Trevor's back, and he shrank to the size of a needle top. Neville had concocted his potion right, even without my help. Snape did the counter potion and made Trevor normal size. That was the end of class and we were free to leave.

As I walked out of the dungeon someone had called my name,

"Hermione!"

I turned and faced Ron. "Are you feeling alright today?" he asked looking worried.

"Never better. Why do you ask?" I inquired, staring into his eyes.

"Well, you didn't answer any of Snape's questions. Also, you didn't even try to help Neville. You were just sitting working on your potion," he answered.

I placed a hand on my hip and replied, "We all change Ron, and this is my change. Besides, I thought you didn't like it when I show off in class?"

"I don't."

"Then don't complain Ron. Get used to it. Now if you don't mind, I am off to the library."

With that I was off to the library for no reason other than I had this class period free. I found a table to myself in the corner of the library. I put my head in my hands and thought. When Ron was talking to me he seemed very worried about my actions in Snape's class. Not the type of worry a brother experiences, but as an extremely close friend does. He must really think something is wrong with me. I am beginning to think the same thing. I just can't put a finger on it.

I had begun to grow terribly tired over the next few days, like something was draining me. I was hardly able to do all my homework, which seemed to grow every hour. Ron and I sat beside each other trying to finish out homework. It was barely ten o'clock when I was growing tired, which Ron noticed quickly.

"Hermione, are you alright? You seem very pale, and you're always tired." His voice conveyed his growing worry.

"Ron, I'm fine. No need to worry, promise." I told him, laying a hand on his arm, and then quickly removing it. "I just need to get some sleep. I'm done so; I'll go now and get some rest. Good night Ron." I got up quickly and ran up to the girl's dormitory.

I changed quickly into my nightgown. I pulled down my covers and climbed slowly into bed. As I lay there I realize why I had been losing energy and coloring. Everyday I wasn't getting his attention and I knew I'd never get him. It was eating away at me to know we weren't meant to be. It's slowly gnawing away at me like a virus that kills people. It wouldn't kill me, but my insides would die. And if I never get him part of me will be gone. Gone, forever. That part will always belong to Ron. No one else, ever.

I woke early the next morning; the sun had barely risen from its slumber. I changed into my clothes and went down into the common room. I sat where Ron and I sat last night to do our homework. He must have been up late doing his homework, because I could still see his imprint in the chair. Just thinking about him was twisting my insides. My stomach lurched; I know I'll never have him, but I will always wish.