From Friendship, True Love Springs

Harry Potter fanfic 4

"Weasley's in love!"

It was the next morning after the Potions class. Ron and Harry were standing outside the Herbology classroom waiting for Professor Sprout to let them in.

Harry and Hermione were deep in conversation when Ron heard this remark. He turned around to confront whoever had said it. It was Lavender Brown. She blushed beetroot red and turned away to Pavarti Patil giggling.

Ron felt his own cheeks turn red. He thought about the recent events as they filed into the classroom and started their work. He and Hermione hadn't talked or even looked at each other since yesterday. Harry had noticed something was up but he couldn't get the truth out of either of his friends.

And now, people knew! Lavender had noticed it and probably other people had as well. It was only a matter of time before it would be all round the school.

At least, Draco couldn't blackmail him anymore, thought Ron triumphantly, that was one good thing.

He tried to immerse himself in his work- collecting cactus spines to make a cure for chickenpox- but he couldn't. It didn't help that Hermione was working with a Hufflepuff girl right next to him.

He didn't talk to her for the first half of the lesson but after a little while he couldn't take it much longer. When the Hufflepuff girl went to collect more rubber gloves- the old pair had got holes in them- he seized the opportunity.

"We need to talk" he hissed, so that no one would hear him.

"Where?" Hermione asked

"In the common room," Ron answered.

"Not the common room," replied Hermione "There'll be absolutely no privacy. We can't talk there.

"In the library then. At lunchtime. Exactly 1.25pm. You'll be there?

"On the dot" Hermione smiled at him and then turned back to her work as the Hufflepuff girl returned.

Ron continued his work feeling optimistic. He couldn't wait till lunchtime. It was as if everything was going alright.

Not even Care of Magical Creatures with the Slytherins could spoil his sunny mood. Malfoy didn't say anything to him. All he did was throw him a few nasty looks and that couldn't upset Ron.

Hagrid noticed Ron's improved mood and commented on it. "Blimey, yeh 'appy today Ron. Bin taken' too many drops of a 'appy potion 'ave yer Ron?" he joked.

However in divination, Ron's mood began to darken. Professor Tralawney insisted on gazing into the crystal ball to learn the futures of every pupil in the class.

After she had finished predicting Harry's death for the umpteenth time, it was Ron's turn.

"Ron Weasley," called Professor Tralawney.

Ron stood up and approached the table where Professor Tralawney sat, gazing into the mists of the ball. The class were all watching, waiting with baited breath to see what terrible fate lay in store for him.

"Ahhhhhhh, my dear," sighed the Professor, as Ron stood on her left side, "I see it is not a good time for you. I see sadness, tears and heartbreak.

"Ohhhhhhhh," said Lavender Brown, looking hopeful," Heartbreak."

Professor Tralawney continued. "Not a good time for romance at all. In fact at this moment of time, love should be forgotten about."

It was not what Ron wanted to hear.

The Professor went on in this manner for a few more minutes but Ron wasn't listening. He was relieved when she let him go and it was someone else's turn.

The bell rang and Ron jumped up and grabbed his bag. When Professor Tralawney dismissed them, he ran out of the classroom and was first down the ladder. Harry was second, scrambling down.

"Hey Ron," he called.

"What!" Ron snapped and then immediately felt guilty.

Harry's face fell. "Er, I was just going to tell you I had Quidditch practice now and I 'll meet you later."

"Oh okay," said Ron, " see you then."

He felt guilty for snapping at Harry but he felt stressed. He hated Divination and was seriously thinking of dropping it so he could spend more time with Hermione in Arithmancy.

He reached the library and pushed open the door. Scanning the room quickly, he registered that Hermione wasn't there. He was going to have to wait.

He decided to get on with his History of magic homework whilst he was there-a essay about the origins of the school Beauxbatons.

Picking up a suitable looking book, he sat down and opened it. He began to read the first page.

Beauxbatons was established in probably the third or forth century. Originally it had a location, Nantes in Loire-Atlantique, France but it was deemed too dangerous and was moved. Since then the location of Beauxbatons has remained a mystery and one of the magical world's most well kept secrets.

Beaubatons first headmistress was Madame Shaw-Picholet who kept the school in order until her retirement at the age of 163.

"Hi Ron," he heard a voice above him say. He glanced up. It was Hermione. Ron's stomach flipped.

"H-Hi Hermione" said Ron weakly. "Sit down"

Hermione smiled warmly, as she pulled out a chair and sat down.

"So..." said Ron.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" said Hermione.

"Um well y'know, "mumbled Ron, "What happened yesterday."

"I wanted to talk to you about it too but I didn't know where I stood."

Ron took a deep breath. "Hermione, I like you."

"Yeah well I like you too. We're friends aren't we?"

"No, I mean really like you, if you get my drift."

"Oh." It took some minutes for this to sink in. Ron sat and watched her face.

"I never could've guessed Ron. I mean," she chewed her lip, "I mean, you like me. I never even thought you liked me as a friend before."

"How come?" asked Ron, puzzled.

"Me and you, we've always had a kind of love-hate relationship. Sometimes I thought you resented me being Harry's friend."

Ron was shocked. "I never thought that!"

"It seemed like you did, that's all."

They sat in silence for a moment, Hermione staring at her lap.

"Hermione" said Ron tentatively, after a little while.

"Yes?" she said.

"Do you, well, do you like me in that way like I like you?"

"Well, if it isn't Mudblood and Weasel" said a voice before Hermione had a chance to answer.

"Go away," said Ron.

"No," said Malfoy sliding into the seat beside Hermione.

Crabbe and Goyle had a tussle over the seat opposite which ended with Goyle deftly pushing Crabbe halfway out of the aisle where he ended up as a heap on the floor. Goyle triumphantly claimed the seat whilst Crabbe slouched away bad-temperedly to find somewhere else to sit.

"Get lost Malfoy, " said Hermione in a low voice, "You have no right to sit here."

"On the contrary, I do" replied Malfoy.

Hermione eyed Goyle with distaste. Goyle was menacingly cracking his knuckles but without Crabbe he didn't look nearly as frightening.

Ron raised his eyebrows at Hermione. "We're going if you insist on sitting there," he warned. He shot a meaningful look at Hermione and she nodded in agreement. They both stood up at the same time.

Malfoy put his hand on Hermione's arm and pulled her down into her seat. "Don't go on my account," he said cheerfully, tightening his grip on Hermione's arm.

"Me and Hermione have something to tell you," said Ron suddenly as he sat down. He ignored Hermione frantically mouthing no at him.

"What's that then, Weasley. You've won the lottery? She's decided to leave this school, which is for purebloods only? One can only hope."

Ron ignored this remark, determined not to give Malfoy the satisfaction of seeing him get angry over it. "Me and Hermione are an item. Hermione knows all about what I feel for her. You have no power over me anymore!"

Malfoy sat in stunned silence, not knowing what to say. Ron grinned triumphantly.

Hermione's voice broke into the silence. "Draco."

"Yes?"

"You're still holding onto my arm."

Malfoy dropped it hurriedly and made a great show of wiping his hands clean. Then he stood up.

"You are disgusting, " was all he said as he turned and left, Crabbe and Goyle following hurriedly.

"You shouldn't have said that!" Hermione snapped and she too got up and left, leaving Ron alone.

Ron wondered what he'd done. He was just about to call Hermione back when a glance from a group of third-years changed his mind. He decided to follow her instead.

Leaving the library, he checked to see if Hermione was around. She wasn't. He supposed she would've headed towards the common room. Turning to the left, he headed off into that direction.

Harry's practice had gone well. After changing out of his Quidditch robes, he began to make his way back to the common room. He was ascending the stairs up to his common room when someone said "Hi Harry," behind him.

Harry stopped and turned around. It was Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw seeker and, suprisingly, she was alone.

"Hi C-Cho," mumbled Harry. He was experiencing a very weird sensation. His stomach was fizzing wildly and Harry thought he was going to explode, faint and be sick all at the same time.

"I'm going to the library," she smiled at him. "Can I walk with you?"

"Sure," said Harry, not knowing how he managed to get the word out.

And so Harry continued his journey to the common room, this time accompanied by Cho.

As they walked, they talked about the upcoming Quidditch matches. Cho did most of the talking, Harry was too nervous to speak much.

On the forth floor, they were walking past a classroom when they heard voices coming from inside. Cho put out a hand to stop Harry. "What's that?" she said.

They both pressed their bodies up against the door, curious to hear what was going on inside. "I don't really think we should be listening," said Harry.

Cho put a finger to his lips. "Shh!" she whispered. "This could be interesting."

Harry didn't think so but he went along with it for Cho's sake.

Inside the classroom, the voices rose so Harry could make out what they were saying.

"Imagine how I felt, having to hear that from the weasel."

"Don't call him that!"

"Well, he is. It broke my heart, you know that!"

It was Malfoy. Harry knew he shouldn't be listening, but he wanted to hear about how Malfoy got his heart broken.

"I'm sorry, but Ron got it all wrong. There's nothing going on between us. Me and Ron Weasley are not an item. I love you, remember?"

"Isn't that your friend, Hermione?" Cho asked Harry. Harry nodded weakly. He slumped against the door, feeling sick. He couldn't believe it.

Inside the classroom, there was silence. Outside the classroom, Harry knew he had to get away from there. He pulled away from the door, and went as fast as he could towards his common room.

"Harry" Cho called after him, "Harry."

Harry didn't stop or turn around. He just know he had to get away from there as fast as possible.

TO BE CONTINUED...

By Claire Chambers