I\'ve Got Mail?

I'VE GOT MAIL?

It began a couple of months ago. I was sitting in the common room trying to concentrate on my homework, well all right chess with Harry, when Hermione came rushing up to us. She started talking about some muggle invention in the school and how great it was that Professor Flitwick had managed to charm them into working. Harry seemed to know what she was talking about and expressed his interest. I seemed to give it away all to easily that I had no clue on the matter.

"What's a com-bu-door?"

Ok, so my lack of knowledge wasn't exactly subtle. Hermione had simply started explaining what these muggle objects were, which turned out to be called computers. I wasn't that far out on the pronunciation. Apparently these computers were all connected to each other by something called the Internet and that all the students had access to e-mails. Of course all this needed much explanation as well. She seemed so excited that I decided to investigate them for myself. I didn't really want Hermione and Harry knowing about it. I'm not really sure why now. Maybe it was because I had told them that they sounded a little silly.

"Sounds like a complete waste of time if you ask me."

Ok, so again with the lack of subtle. It's strange how I only realise I possibly shouldn't have said some things once the words have already found their way out of my mouth. I really need to watch that. Of course that little comment of mine caused another row with Hermione. Sometimes she can be so sensitive. Although that's one of the reasons I like her so much. If I had a sickle for every hour I wondered why I couldn't admit that to Hermione herself, I'd be rich. Anyway, I found my way to the computer room and sat down in front of one of these muggle creations. After twenty minutes of trying to turn it on, I finally had to resolve to asking Dean, who happened to be sitting a couple seats down. Luckily he knew all about computers, but then I suppose he would. He even showed me how to get into my e-mails and how to get into the new school chat room that had been set up. After another fifteen minutes of explanation from Dean I finally got the hang of it. Well, sort of. I gathered that I had to use the thing called a keyboard in front of me to make words and then they would appear on the screen. Sometimes it's amazing what muggles can do without magic. I watched the chat room screen for a while before writing anything. There were some obvious screen names being used. In fact only one other person apart from me seemed to care about anonymity. They had used the name 'mbggirl'. What that stood for was anyone's guess. Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil were both chatting about boys and other nonsense. Although, I did learn some interesting stuff about Seamus. The other anonymous person hadn't typed anything either. I figured they found the chatter kind of boring too, so I sent them a private message saying that the other girls were talking rubbish, or something similar. I didn't expect a reply really. I was mostly testing the keyboard to see it work. It seemed strange to see my words come up on the screen. Anyway, a minute later I got a reply.

"I completely agree."

Just three little words, but it got us chatting. We didn't talk about anything personal really, just mostly about how much I hate Snape. Well she had asked. Although I guess my screen name had given it away slightly. I had chosen 'snapehater'. Somehow I couldn't see Snape bothering with any such muggle creation so I was sure it was safe to use.

Well, that's how it all began. We e-mail each other all the time now. I'm surprised Harry and Hermione don't notice how many excuses I've given them to leave the common room. Although, Hermione herself has been busy, but she's probably just been in the library a lot. After all, the NEWTS are only about a year and a half away. Honestly. Why that girl needs to study as much as she does is beyond me. I feel kind of bad leaving Harry alone as much as I do, but e-mailing this girl is almost an addiction. A lot of the time Ginny is with him anyway, so I suppose he's all right. They've been spending a lot of time alone together actually. They better be behaving themselves or Harry may become The Boy Who Lived Until He Had A Very Nasty Accident With A Blast-Ended Skrewt.

This girl I'm e-mailing is really special. At least she must be. Something happens to my insides when I read an e-mail from her. Similar to how Hermione makes me feel. I really mustn't think about Hermione like that though, after all, she is my best friend. Also, she can be really odd. A few weeks ago she was blinking like crazy at me and so obviously I asked her if she had something in her eye.

"Oh, Ron. You are so blind sometimes," Hermione had shrieked at me.

Now, this just shows how strange she can be at times. I was going to inform her that, if her eye kept irritating her then she may be the one who goes blind, but she had stormed out of the room before I had a chance to open my mouth. Maybe it wouldn't have been the best response anyway. It must have been that time of the month. Every guy knows that during that time you can't say anything right. Anyway, I told my secret e-mail girl about this. We had agreed not to say anything personal to each other so I tried to be as vague about whom I was referring to as possible.

"Today this friend of mine went crazy on me. I hadn't done anything wrong and was in fact trying to be helpful. It makes me so mad sometimes. I wish we didn't argue as much as we did, but sometimes I think my friend likes it. I don't know what to do."

Her reply was very caring.

"Sounds to me as if you're friend doesn't like to be crowded when they have problems. They shouldn't take it out on you though. Some people are like that. Don't worry, I'm sure your friend still cares about you. In the meantime, I'm still here for you."

I'm not always the one with the problem though. She has a friend who also seems to wind her up. They also seem to fight a lot. To be honest, her friend seems a bit like Hermione in that respect. It's odd but, when I give her advice, I often read it back to myself and I think I sound quite mature. I suppose it helps that this girl isn't sitting right in front of me when I'm replying to her. Occasionally I wish Hermione could see what I have written because she tells me how immature I am so many times.

Anyway, back to the present day and I have just done something completely stupid. At least I'm sure it's stupid. I've just arrived back in the common room after sending an e-mail to her and I actually asked if she would like to meet me in Hogsmeade on Saturday. For all I know she may be reading it right now. It's no wonder that Harry is actually beating me at chess at this precise moment. How can I concentrate? I must try. Think about my reputation if he wins. Hermione is sitting on my left and she's actually pretty close. Ok, now there's two reasons I can't concentrate. I've suddenly realised how loud the volume of my voice is. I can't help it though. What is Hermione doing now? She's actually getting closer. I turn to look at her but I think I must be glaring or something because the lovely smile she had on her face disappeared very quickly. Now Harry is laughing. I turn to glare at him instead.

"Oh shut up Harry," I yell.

"Hey mate, there's no need to get angry just because I seem to be beating you for once," Harry said after his laughter had subsided

"You are NOT beating me. I'm just letting you think you are!"

"Oh, is that why you seem on the verge of a nervous breakdown and why you gave Hermione such an angry glare?"

I knew I had glared at her. I hadn't meant to of course. I didn't know what else to say, but I knew I had to beat Harry so I continued to order my pieces around. Harry's laughter had made me more determined to beat him. I think that a move of my bishop and a couple of moves of my knight will put things back on track. Just as I suspected. I'm actually winning now. Ha! Harry's face is a picture. That'll teach him to laugh at me. The common room door just swung open and Ginny has just walked in.

"Hi guys," she says happily

Harry and I greet her. Hermione seems lost in her homework. No surprise there then. Oh well, one more move of my bishop and....

"Checkmate!"

Now Harry is scowling at me.

"Better luck next time mate," I tell him.

Well, that made me feel a lot better. It's almost not bothering me that Ginny just put her hand on Harry's arm.

"What are you doing to him?"

Well I said almost.

"Nothing," Ginny answered. "Why do you try to analyse everything I do?"

I was about to answer her when I noticed Hermione stand up and head towards the common room exit.

"Hey 'Mione, where you going?" I ask her.

She stops and actually looks slightly confused. I did tell her that too much studying would mess with her brain one day.

"Err....just off to patrol," she replies.

"Already? Hey hold up, I'll come with you."

"Err....why?"

Interesting response. She probably thinks I'd rather be hanging around with Harry and Ginny than with her. If only she knew.

"I'm bored," I tell her.

Blimey, why did I say that? Harry and Ginny probably think I'm being really rude to them now. I glance at them briefly but they seem to be engrossed in each other's eyes. It's actually kind of scary. He better watch himself with her.

"What about your game of chess?" Hermione asks.

Now that's a strange question. She really must have been lost in her homework. She looks down at the chessboard, which is now empty and I watch as realisation dawns on her. She asks who won.

I tell her that I won and she looks momentarily surprised but just nods. Obviously we lost her somewhere between now and when I had glared at her earlier.

"It's ok Ron, you don't have to come. I'll be fine on my own tonight, I know you find it boring," Hermione continues.

Obviously she doesn't want me around. This is quite depressing. Maybe it is a good idea that I'm trying to move my affections onto someone else.

"Oh, fine."

I can't seem to keep the sound of disappointment out of my voice. I hope she doesn't notice. She looks at me momentarily and almost looks slightly sorry, but then she just says goodbye and leaves. Harry and Ginny are looking at me with strange expressions on their faces.

"You'll just have to find a time to try it on with her another day," Harry smirks.

I just glare at him and make my way towards the boys dormitory. I think I need to be alone with my thoughts at the moment and if Harry touches my sister I'll just have to kill him tomorrow. I reach my bed and fall down face first onto the soft mattress. I roll over and look at the ceiling. Oh well, if Hermione doesn't want me then hopefully this girl I've been e-mailing will. I should be feeling happy. Well, of course I am. Ok, not entirely. I don't know what to do. I hope she agrees to meet me on Saturday and naturally I hope she's someone I will like. What could be the worst outcome? Pansy Parkinson? Millicent Bullstrode? Ok, neither of them are very likely, but I have to prepare myself. I feel quite tired actually. Maybe I'll just get an early night. Hopefully everything will look better in the morning.

**********

Everything did get better the day after. I received a response from my mystery girl the next morning saying that she wanted to meet me and would The Three Broomsticks at twelve midday be all right? I told her that this was fine. I was feeling quite happy actually, that is until this very moment. It's Saturday morning now and it's rapidly approaching midday. I'm feeling quite nervous although chatting with Harry seems to be easing the tension. If I go to the Three Broomsticks and I see Pansy or Millicent anywhere nearby then I'll just bolt. Hermione doesn't seem very chatty at the moment, although Harry did start up a conversation about Quidditch so I imagine she's just not interested in that subject.

"Hi guys," a familiar voice came from behind us.

It's Ginny. Is she stalking Harry or something? I hope not. Actually, this could be a good thing. If Ginny's here, at least I won't be leaving Harry alone with Hermione, who seems to be completely in her own little world at present. I better get going.

"Just off to the loo," I say.

Hope that was convincing. Well what couldn't be convincing about needing the toilet? They just smile and nod, except Hermione. That girl scares me sometimes, it's like she can just drift off into her own mind and forget about reality. Never mind. I turn away from my friends and head towards the pub. It's only a couple of minutes walk so I should be on time. I reach our meeting place and notice that there is no-one about. Well, I am about a minute early. Hopefully she won't stand me up. What if she turns up, hides, looks at me and runs away? Blimey, I hope not. The clock suddenly strikes the hour. My heart is beating like crazy. What is it with the palms of my hands? They're so sweaty. I hear some footsteps so I look up. All right, now I'm really confused. Why is she here?

"Ron?"

"'Mione, err.... What are you doing here?" I ask quickly

Think Ron, think. She can't hang about here. I'm starting to fidget nervously. I need to calm down. I swear my face feels so hot right now.

"Harry and Ginny are over there."

Interesting response. She followed me to get away from Harry and Ginny? Why, what are they doing? Nothing I hope. I don't think I have the energy to murder him right now.

"What are you doing here Ron?" she asks in an almost suspicious voice.

"Nothing. Waiting," I reply.

Well, that's true.

"Waiting for what?"

Why does she have to be so nosy? What am I suppose to say now.

"Well....what about you?"

Good reply. Put the pressure on her. See how she likes it.

"Err....well, I'm meeting someone, err....someone I met in the school chat room," she replies nervously.

Not the response I was expecting at all. So my mystery girl is Hermione? That must be what this all means. My face feels like the sun is burning it. I feel so hot. Deep breaths. I collect up my courage and smile at her.

"Me too."

She smiles back at me and suddenly I feel as if all my problems just drift away. Even my problem with possibly having to kill my other best friend some day soon. Yep, that's gone for the moment as well.

"So you really do hate Snape huh?" she asks.

Her smile wavers slightly. As if she's bracing herself for something. Her expression is so funny and so absolutely lovely all at the same time. I feel myself grinning at her. I hope my grin is charming and endearing and not foolish and looking like I'm some sort of idiot though.

"So, what's mbggirl then? I've been wondering."

"It's 'muggle-born granger girl' actually," she replies.

I almost laugh at this reply because she seems to be defending the name she chose. I don't know what else to say. There's only so much you can say in words at this point. I need to kiss her. I mean really need to, like I need to breathe air to live. Wow, my thoughts can be very poetic from time to time. I walk closer to her and brush a strand of hair out of her face. She shivers ever so slightly as I take hold of her. At least she's not pushing me away. Anyway, this is no time to continue thinking. This is a time for action. I lean in and our lips touch and it's magical. So much for thoughts, the real thing is better any day.