Privet Drive

Madam Pomfrey fussed over Neville all morning. Professor Sprout also checked in on Neville several times a day in case there was any fine-tuning, (as she put it), to be done. Several times the two of them had consulted with Albus and Minerva, but only one of these ended with more pruning of Neville's wee plant.

By mid-day Neville was coherent enough to talk with his friends, he was quite pleased to see them all there. They could only see subtle changes in him since he was still quite dopey, Neville greeted them, "Hello Harry, Rob, Hermione."

"It's Ron, Neville." Hermione told him nervously. Hermione gave him a big hug and a get well card, Neville beamed. Harry couldn't help but glance over to Ron to see his reaction; he was thankful Ron's concern for Neville outweighed anything else at the moment.

When Madam Pomfrey ushered them all out for the evening, Harry and Ron told him he had to get better by next week for the first match against Slytherin.

"I do hope Neville will be alright with his studies. It would be a shame for him to have come so far this year and - well - lose it all." Ron held his hand out to allow her into the common room first.

"So . . ." Ron said trying to sound off-hand, "You and Neville are study buddy's are you?" Hermione, who could always tell what Ron was thinking, scanned the room and spotted three empty chairs in the corner of the common room.

"What? Did you think I would hide out alone while you two are off to Quidditch practices? You should get to know Neville, he's nice and very easy to talk to."

"Is that right?" It was a big struggle for Ron but he managed to keep his voice as even as possible. "Harry and I were talking about the very same thing last night, just before he . . ." Ron trailed off. There was a tapping sound at the window, Hermione rushed over to open it. An old brown barn owl landed on the arm of Harry's chair, Harry took the letter, the large owl gave a quick hoot and left. He opened the envelope to find a smaller one inside. Ron had a big grin on his face; Hermione however was sitting across from Harry with her knees up to her chin, and her knuckles against her mouth.

"Is it? Is it from - her?" Harry couldn't figure out why Hermione seemed more excited about the letter than he was. The letter was in a relatively plain white envelope with tiny little flowers around the edge, it was addressed to Mrs. Figg. Harry noticed the handwriting, like a girls'. Harry opened the letter and read the first line or so, as a big grin spread across his face, his cheeks were going pink. Harry thought to himself; I do not want to read this in front of them, when he looked up Hermione was pulling Ron out of the common room.

Harry woke up early the next morning. He thought he would see Neville before Ron and Dean came around. "Harry?" Neville beamed.

"Doing alright, Neville?"

"I guess so," Neville said bashfully. "Lots of stuff seams like a blur." Harry glanced over at the plant on the bedside table.

"Will you keep growing the plant?" Harry asked

"For a while I think I'll just try to keep it alive." Neville said with a nervous laugh. "I guess I'll keep growing it when I - I'm feeling better."

"I know we don't talk about stuff much Neville, but if you ever wanted to . . .or if you wanted to ask me anything. . . " Great Harry said to himself, I sound like Prof. Paetulus. Madam Pomfrey came in to give Neville some medicine and some water for the plant. Harry was glad for the interruption.

"Harry . . ." Neville looked away from the plant again. "The plant helps me remember things that I was um - made to forget a long time ago. Well - it was supposed to be gradual." Neville said as he raised an eyebrow at the plant. The door opened, Neville stopped as they looked to see who was there.

"So you are down here Harry. Good morning, Neville." Hermione greeted them cheerfully. After chatting a while Harry noticed that Hermione was wringing her hands, as if she had something to say, but couldn't, then she suddenly spoke as if she had a burst of nerve, "We saw the largest barn owl I've ever seen last night." Hermione blurted out, with goofy smile on her face.

"Really?" Neville said, so loud it made Madam Pomfrey peer around the door of her office. Harry couldn't for the life of him figure out why either one of them would be so excited about it.

"So . . .?" Neville asked, beaming at her. Hermione shook her head.

"So - we should go over some potions when you're up to it, to see what you've retained." Hermione said quickly.

Harry got up from his chair, "I'm going to have breakfast, I'll leave you two to talk." Harry grinned at them.

As he reached the door Hermione jumped up. "Wait Harry!" Hermione grabbed him before he could get down the hall. "Harry I . . ."

"It's none of my business Hermione," Harry cut her off. She looked positively unnerved.

"Why is Neville so excited about my letter?"

Hermione scrunched up her face in her hands, "I can't tell you."

Harry walked away shaking his head, "Fine."

The next afternoon found them in Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Once Hermione had schoolwork to think about her anxiety seemed to dwindle. Malfoy sneered at Harry and Ron while talking loudly to his friends about the up-coming Quidditch match.

"I can't wait for my first game." Ron whispered as he sat down next to Harry.

"If your homework got half the attention Quidditch does I'd see better essays." Professor Paetulus said calmly as she handed back their essays. Several of them had small yellow slips attached. "From you I will expect nothing less than an A." The professor said as she handed back Harry's paper. It too had a yellow paper on it.

You are required to receive a tutorial in the Defense Against the Dark Arts studies.

"Who is she kidding?" Ron complained, waving a yellow slip in his hand. "You got a B+ on your homework paper."

"Harry do you think it's like another meeting like when you first got here?" asked Hermione.

"No, a bunch of us got one."

"Maybe she wants us to be well prepared in case anything happens." Ron said.

"I think you might be right." Hermione said to Ron.

"I am?" Ron was reading his yellow slip. "Harry does yours have a time on it?"

"I don't know." Harry pulled out the slip from the pocket of his robes. "Tomorrow after dinner." Harry said realizing that he had also pulled out his letter from Iris.

"Same as mine," Ron confirmed.

Hermione noticed the letter in his hand at once. "Come on Harry, you haven't told us anything."

Ron waved a hand at her. "Now, now Hermione . . . " Ron said slowly "It's Harry's business and if he wants to share . . . He'll show me first!" Ron said jumping in front of her. "Besides, you all but freaked when he got it."

"Neville too!" Harry said when he suddenly remembered their conversation in the hall. "What gives, Hermione?" Harry asked her. Hermione started to blush. "You were far to eager for me to write to her so I know that you can't be jealous." Harry added. "Even if I am the Positively Irresistible Rebel type." They were all laughing too hard to remember she hadn't answered their questions. Harry handed Ron the letter to read, Ron smelled the letter checking for perfume. Hermione rolled her eyes.

Dear Harry,

I was so excited to get your letter. Yes, Privet Drive is nice, lots of cats. I only had to see Dudley around a week after you left. I think he got into trouble for trying to hit me, because he looked scared whenever he saw me after that.

I really hope you get this. It sounds awful that you can't send letters to who ever you want. But, then again, my Mum got a bit upset when she found out I wanted to send you a letter. I tried to tell her you were nice, but Mum says you must be at St. Brutus' for a reason. I sort of convinced her you were okay, but I think she kept hiding stamps on me. I'm so sorry this letter took so long to get to you.

Will you be around long when you come home for Christmas? I asked your Aunt how long you usually stay home on holidays, but I guess she didn't hear me right, because she mumbled something and ran in to the house.

Please write back,

Iris

Hermione reached over to get the letter from Ron, but Harry snatched it out of her grasp. "Harry let me read it," Hermione pleaded with a smile.

Harry had an evil grin on his face. "First tell me wh . . ."

Hermione pushed him and grabbed the letter, but not before whispering in his ear, "Please don't"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Quidditch practice~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Up!" Ron and Harry mounted their brooms. "Don't you think we should work out some great move to knock Malfoy off his broom, Harry?"

"NO!" Angelina answered for Harry. Harry looked over his shoulder to see if Angelina was out of earshot.

"If he does happen to get hurt, that would be a bonus." Harry said, grinning at Ron. Occasionally when Harry was close, Ron would try to trail him to see if he could keep up with him. As he saw Harry getting smaller in the distance Ron shook his head. "Whoa!"

"It's not just the broom, Ron". Fred said as he came whipping past.

"It's the flyer," George said as he passed in the opposite direction, nearly sending Ron into a spin.

"How do you do that?" asked Ron, as he pulled out of the spin.

"Easy," the twins said together.

"If timed right," said Fred, "You'd be on the ground now,

"Kerr-splat!" George finished.

"Wow, can you do it again?" Fred and George grinned.

"Come and spot Ron!" Fred yelled to the girls.

Ron was impressed that they knew exactly what he meant even though he didn't himself. After a moment Katie returned from the changing room with their wands. George looked to make sure Angelina was busy showing Harry a move on the other side of the pitch. "Okay Ron, when you start into the spin don't panic. Katie and Alicia are going to slow you down." Ron and the twins flew above the girls. Like a dance set in motion the twins repeated the moves with precise timing. Ron held tight to his broom as he saw Fred pass. In an instant, George was passing too, in the opposite direction. Ron's broom flew into a stomach churning spin. Knowing there was no way he could have pulled out of it, Ron held on tight catching sight of the girls who were already waving their wands to slow him down.

Harry did not see Alicia and Katie, only his friend spiraling to the ground. In a flash Harry raced to get to Ron before he hit the ground. Harry didn't actually know what he was going to do, trying to stop Ron in mid spin would probably hurt him worse. Fred caught sight of Harry in the corner of his eye. With a crunch, Fred blocked Harry with great force.

"Watch," Fred yelled.

Harry struggled to get past, than he saw Ron slow as he reached the girls below him.

Ron pulled out of the spin and flew up to them. "That was amazing!" Ron called out. Harry's mouth hung open

"It's all in the timing," Fred said grinning. "Oh, sorry about that Harry. Showing Ron here some moves." George could see Harry's face reddening.

"We wouldn't have hurt him you know." Harry gave a weak smile, still feeling embarrassed about trying to save Ron.

"I wish you could say the same about me." Harry groaned as he rubbed his side, "I think you cracked a rib."

Angelina told them off for injuring their seeker. Fred winked at her. It was hard for her to stay too angry when she saw how well controlled the twins had the maneuver.

"Next time let Harry in on it. As if he needs to add saving Ron's life to his list." Angelina said glaring at the twins.

"I would like to think I'm already on that list, thank you very much." Ron retorted. Harry laughed clutching his side in pain.

"Well then, you can take Harry to see Madam Pomfrey. I want our star player ready for the match." Angelina said, pointing to the castle.

When they got to the hospital wing they could here Neville talking. "Hermione he got the letter, it's time."

"I've been waiting so long for this, now I'm scared." She said with a quiver in her voice. Ron and Harry stopped short.

"We'd better leave. She'll kill us if she thinks were spying on them." Harry whispered. He hadn't noticed the scowl on Ron's face.

"It's your letter they're talking about, you have a right to listen." Ron insisted. Harry gave Ron a guilty grin and leaned in to hear more.

"You said you would do it when Harry got his letter." Neville protested.

"Once you were sure that Harry had an interest in someone again you would feel less guilty about it."

"I know." Hermione said quietly.

"And I know the three of you are like one and you're afraid of ruining that, but . . . " Neville said quietly to her. Hermione had started rocking in her chair.

"I know what you're going to say Nev."

Ron shifted uncomfortably. "Nev?" Harry punched Ron to be quiet.

"You're going to say that I should be happy."

"Tell him after the practice." He said firmly.

Hermione stood up, "Okay, okay I'll do it tonight. I'll walk right up and say . . . Do I have to say anything? Maybe I could I just kiss him? Do I have to actually tell Ron that I love him?"

Harry fell back, barely catching himself on a stretcher in the hall. Ron did not move. He stood frozen in place with a dazed look on his face. His eyes seemed only half open and his mouth, hanging open, started to pull in to a smile. The look on Ron's face reminded Harry of being under the Imperius curse, like every thought in his head was wiped gently away, leaving nothing but a vague, untraceable happiness.

Realizing they had made a commotion in the hall, Harry grabbed Ron and pulled him away. "We have to go before she sees us."

Ron's dazed eyes found Harry's, "Huh?"

"Ron if you don't move it I'm taking you off my list! You can save your self. A death eater is more appealing that Hermione catching us."

Ron came to his senses when he saw Harry wince in pain again. "Harry you need to have that looked at."

Harry nodded. "It won't take long. Madam Pomfrey could fix stuff like this fast enough." As the boys neared the door again Ron's legs seem to be increasing in weight. Hermione's words, blissful as they were to his ears, did not prepare Ron for what he was going to do, or say when faced with her again. Harry tried whistling as he entered the room so as to announce his presence, but while taking in a deep breath to do so his ribs ached. His groaning sounds were equally effective anyway.

Harry soon found himself ushered into a bed by Madam Pomfrey. She frowned at his Quidditch robes. "The season hasn't even begun yet Mr. Potter. Lets see what you've done to yourself."

"Harry, are you hurt?" asked Hermione.

"Not very," Harry replied.

"Did a bludger get you?" said Neville.

"No Neville, a Weasley did." Hermione's eyes widened.

"Miss Granger, I think its time you left so Mr. Potter can have some privacy." Instructed Madame Pomfrey.

"Good luck," Neville said to her. As she turned to leave Hermione walked right in to a long white beard.

"Miss Granger." Said Albus Dumbledore with a warm smile.

"I.." Hermione' s face was scarlet as she backed away. "I . . Excuse me." She hurried from the room. Madam Pomfrey looked him over, tutting at the bruise on his side. Harry grimaced as she placed a cold smelly substance over the site.

"Bruised his ribs, Headmaster," said Madam Pomfrey. Albus nodded. She continued to spread the smelly potion. "This will be healed in a moment, it's nothing a hot bath and a few days rest wouldn't have fixed."

"Perhaps Poppy, but I'm sure Harry would rather it your way." Dumbledore turned to Harry. "Gets you back in the game faster."

Harry told the Headmaster about the Quidditch practice. Neville sat up with a rapt expression while Harry explained to Dumbledore the maneuver the twins had perfected. Albus enjoyed watching Harry tell his story with such enthusiasm. When he got to the part of trying to save Ron his eyes left the Headmasters face in embarrassment. It was then he noticed the glint of gold, just poking through the edge of the long white beard. Harry reached up to his own gold pin. Dumbledore smiled.

"I will leave you to get dressed." Dumbledore turned to leave. "If I may . . ." He waved a wand over the pile of Quidditch robes which transformed in to Harry's school robes. "I'm sure you don't want to be late for your tutorial this evening."

"No sir."

"Harry," Said Dumbledore, "Some of life's lessons can be learned on the Quidditch pitch."

Harry wondered if that meant to have a plan before jumping in, or not to jump in at all.

Hermione cringed with embarrassment when she walked into Dumbledore; she bolted out of the hospital wing totally frazzled. She almost went right past Ron who was outside the main entrance holding his and Harry's brooms. "Hermione, you alright?" The sight of Ron startled her.

"I have got to stop running in to people." She was speaking to herself more than Ron. Ron gave a subtle laugh as she rambled on.

"Harry's hurt, I walked right in to Professor Dumbledore, and I mean right into him, and . . . and. . ." All at once she realized that she was talking a mile a minute, and that Ron was not talking at all. He just stood there smiling at her; he was wearing his Quidditch robes. She hadn't seen him in them before. The bulk of the Quidditch robes made him look more filled out, and less gangly. His cheeks and hair were windblown, and slightly stuck to the side of his face from sweat.

"Hermione," he paused as she caught her breath. "Harry's not hurt that badly." He spoke softly, "Dumbledore will get over it, and I . . .. Um . . ." He leaned down and kissed her.

The mislaid kiss may have been intended for her mouth but landed somewhere between her lips and cheek. Hermione' s eyes were wide, surprise on her face. Ron looked for her reaction nervously worrying his lower lip. She looked at his face for what seemed like an eternity; her smile broke in to a small giggle.

~*~To be continued ~*~