Harry Potter and the Green Skull

3. Ron tells Hermione

Harry raced back to the burrow at the fastest pace his broom could go, without knocking Ginny off. She was now holding onto him, which was making it very hard to steer, but also because her hands seemed to be ‘feeling’ his chest. Or perhaps it was just the wind, Harry thought firmly.

He wasn’t sure how he survived, or how Ginny had either, as they flew pretty fast, and took some corners pretty sharply, but they were soon back at the Burrow. Bill and Charlie had just arrived, and apparated almost the second Harry and Ginny entered the kitchen. Mrs Weasley was looking worriedly at the fireplace; Fred and George were pacing up and down, and Ron was sitting in the corner on the floor, looking like he was either going to cry, or kill someone. “Anything?” Harry asked Mrs Weasley, as Ginny went over to Ron in the corner. Mrs Weasley turned around to face Harry, and sighed heavily, “No, dear. That’s what’s the problem. If we knew whether they were –” She hesitated, looking at Ron, who was obviously listening to her and not Ginny, who was supposedly talking to him, “– all right. Until Charlie and Bill have found out anything, or even Arthur, we’ve got no idea where she is.” Harry nodded glumly, and walked over towards his best friend, who was now shivering. Ron looked up at him, as Ginny stepped back, nodded at Harry, and walked over towards her mother. Harry knelt down next to Ron, and asked him softly, “You okay?” He knew it wasn’t a clever thing to ask, but Ron just shook his head, and replied in a small voice of frustration, “Not really.” He then sighed, and said to Harry, now keeping his voice down so only Harry could hear him, “Do you think she’s okay, Harry? I hope she is, but if she isn’t...I don’t know what I’ll do, Harry.” Ron sighed again, and slumped down further. Harry wasn’t sure what to do about it, as he wasn’t sure what Ron needed to hear, or what Ron needed. No, wait, he thought. He knew what Ron needed. Ron needed to know Hermione was all right. To see Hermione was okay with his own two eyes. That’s what Ron needed, but Harry knew he couldn’t do anything about that right now. Only time can tell, he thought bitterly, standing up and walking over towards the kitchen window, and looking out, only time can tell...

It was quite a long time before Harry heard anything. Everyone else had gone to bed, except for him, Ron and Ginny. Bill and Charlie had been unable to find any sign of them, and even though Mr Weasley was still searching, Harry was starting to loose hope. Ginny, Harry thought as he looked at her sleeping with a smile on her face, seemed to have given up and almost forgotten into her dream land. Ron, however, had not given up hope. He seemed certain she was all right, and Harry had a nasty feeling that even if Mr Weasley said they’d found her body, Ron wouldn’t admit she was gone until he’d seen it personally. It was a horrible thought, Harry said to himself bitterly. He tried not to think about it, but now all he could see was Hermione’s lifeless body. It didn’t move, and he could see Ron crying over her, holding her in his arms. And behind him, he could see a familiar person, with red eyes, and slits for nostrils, and a snake look about him. Voldemort had killed her, Harry thought angrily, and was going to attack him, when he realised that it wasn’t Hermione anymore. It seemed to be...”Ginny!” he saw the person over her sob, and he realised it wasn’t Ron sobbing over her. It was him.

“Harry?” he heard someone say. Harry realised he must have been dreaming, as he wasn’t wearing his glasses. He fumbled for them, and looked up to see who it had been. There was a reddish glow from the windows, so Harry assumed it was early in the morning. When Harry turned to see who had said his name, and brought him out of his dream, it was – “Hermione!” Harry yelled, seeing his friend standing there in a T-shirt. She hushed him to be quiet, and said softly, “You’ll wake everyone up, Harry.” Harry stared at her. When had she arrived? Had he dreamed her being attacked by the Death Eaters? Had Ron never lost it when there was no news on her safety? She looked like she’d spent the night, as she was wearing something that looked like it might have been Ginny’s, as it was way too small. Also, her hair was a little more bushy than normal, looking as if she’d slept on it funny. She was smiling weakly, though, Harry noticed. She looked like she’d been through something other than sleep. “W-When did you back?” Harry yawned, as he stood up from his chair he’d fallen asleep on. Ron and Ginny were no longer in the kitchen, Harry noticed. They had obviously gone to bed earlier. “About two this morning.” She said, her weak smile fading from her face. She then said, with a hint of sadness in her voice, “I guess you want to know what happened?” Harry nodded, and quickly added, “Yeah, but only if you’re up to it.” She shook her head, and sat down. “I’m up to it, but we ought to wait for Ron. He said he’d be down in a moment.” Harry wondered what Ron’s reaction had been when Hermione had arrived. “How is Ron?” Harry asked her, as he sat back down again. “Hmm?” Hermione asked, as she was distracted by other thoughts, and then replied, “Oh. He’s fine. You should have seen him when Mr Weasley and I appeared in the fireplace. He looked more happy and relieved than I’d ever seen him.” She looked almost dreamily into space, Harry noticed. “When we hugged, I felt like never letting go,” she said dreamily, until she noticed Harry’s sceptical look. She then reasserted herself, and said firmly, “Well, I wonder what’s keeping him?” but Ron appeared at the door almost the second she said it, and sat down next to her. He was looking very happy, Harry thought. He’s eyes were fixed on Hermione, as were hers on him. Harry sat there for a minute or two, until coughing, and said sternly, “Ahem.” The two suddenly then seemed aware of Harry’s presence, and Hermione then said, looking concerned, “Well, now we’re all here, I’ll begin. It started yesterday, when I was sitting in my parent’s surgery. It was just after lunch, and I was reading up some revision for our O.W.L.s, when I heard a scream from my mum’s room. My dad came running out, and I went towards the room as well. I couldn’t imagine that they’d be a Death Eater in there. He had stunned my mum, and when my dad came in, he stunned him as well. I then ran out of the surgery, feeling very scared.” She was now trembling, and looked like she might cry. Ron put his arm around her, and she seemed to stop trembling. She then continued, “I ran down the street, back towards our house, but –“ she stopped again, and wiped her eyes, “There was a Death Eater outside the gate. I could tell these people were Death Eaters, by their masks and their black cloaks and hoods. Anyway, I decided that I needed to get out of the area quickly, so I headed for the tube station down the road. I could have phoned the muggle police, but I wasn’t sure I’d be able to explain it to well to them.” Harry nodded, imagining a muggle police officer having to listen about dark wizards and magic. “I got on the tube, and headed for Paddington. But, there was a Ministry official on board, who got me off the train, and took my to the Ministry headquarters. It was amazing! Its such a huge building, right in the middle of a roundabout near the docklands. Muggles can’t see it, but it reaches up way into the sky, and there were owls flying in and out of the top. Its got loads of owls, and people on brooms, flying out of windows and doors everywhere. And the muggles can’t see it, because of the charms and spells on the place. Its got almost as many spells on it as Hogwarts!” She stood up, Ron letting go of her. “Well, after I was questioned, I was told my parents were okay, and Mr Weasley had said I could stay here for the summer. You know, ‘cause my parents are having to go into hiding now...” Harry’s brain then seemed to come to a complete halt, and then click a thought that was so painful, but so true. “Its all my fault...” he said quietly, Ron and Hermione now looking at him strangely. “What do you mean, its all your fault?” asked Ron hastily. “Hermione and you...you’re in danger because of me. You’re my friends, so Voldemort wants you dead. Or at least, held for ransom or something.” Ron and Hermione now looked mortified. But Harry knew that the expression on their faces would be nothing compared to the one they would have after Harry told them his solution. “I want you two to – to stop hanging out with me. Don’t even talk to me. Then maybe Voldemort will leave you alone, and Hermione’s parents could come out of hiding.” Harry was right. Hermione’s face looked like someone had told her that everyone she knew was dead, and Ron looked like he might kill Harry. “What?! Is that what you think we should do?! Leave you alone?! Are you insane?!” Ron was now bellowing, and Harry had a feeling it wouldn’t be long before the rest of the family was up. Hermione now burst into a fit of tears, and Ron held her. “See what happens when you tell us to back off?” Ron said bitterly at Harry, now lowering his voice, but not his anger. “I’m doing what’s right, Ron.” Harry said sternly. Ron now looked at him with more hatred than Harry had ever seen. More hatred than Ron had ever thrown at Snape or Malfoy. “You’ve got a lot to learn, Harry Potter.” He said angrily, cradling Hermione as she continued to sob into his chest. Harry caught a bit of what she was trying to say as he left the room, “H-He t-thinks that w-we’re g-going t-to l-leave him a-alone? T-That’s n-not f-fair, R-Ron!” she sobbed into Ron’s chest. Ron looked at Harry again, but not an angry look. A look of hope. He wants me to come back and tell her that they don’t have to leave him alone? Harry laughed in his head coldly. That would never happen. Not until – not until Voldemort falls. Harry passed Fred and George on the stairs, who asked Harry what had happened. Harry didn’t even acknowledge their existence as he climbed the stairs to Ron’s room. Perhaps he shouldn’t talk to anyone, he thought mindfully. Perhaps he should go back to the Dursley’s, or even go to Diagon Alley instead of staying at the Burrow. Harry reached the door, and opened it. He then climbed into his small bed, and fell asleep.

It was quite some time before Harry awoke. He could tell the day had begun and he could hear laughter from the twins somewhere in the house. He felt strange; mainly due to the fact that he’d slept with his glasses on, and wasn’t used to waking up to the world in clear vision. He could see someone sitting on the window seat in the room. Ginny turned around, hearing Harry stir. “Are you okay, Harry?” she asked him gently. Harry nodded, blinking at her. She looked beautiful, Harry’s brain told him. Like she was made of rainbows. “Oh, are you still not talking?” she asked, still speaking gently, but now sounding a little disappointed. “No,” Harry croaked, sitting up, “I’ll talk.” Her eyes now widened, and she looked very – fascinated. Harry was now aware that he’d slipped off his dressing gown, and was only wearing his boxers. She smirked at him, as he slipped beneath the covers again to cover himself up. “You’ve been working out, eh?” she said slyly to him. Harry nodded, and said even more slyly, “I’ve noticed you’re different as well. More –“ he wanted to say beautiful, but thought it wasn’t a good first step. “Confident.” Was all he could manage. But it seemed to do, as she giggled, and replied, “Thank-you, Harry.” She then got up and headed for the door. “You might want to get dressed, and apologise to Ron and Hermione. They took it very badly, Harry. Hermione especially. She’s still sobbing, and Ron keeps muttering ‘git’ over and over again.” Harry laughed a little, and then replied, “Yeah. I’d better sort that out.” Ginny nodded, and left the room, closing the door behind her. Harry noticed before she closed the door, that she was looking at him in a hopeful way, but when he turned towards the door, she had closed it. Harry got out of bed, and waited until he had heard Ginny go downstairs, he then opened the door, and headed for the bathroom. While he showered, he tried to think of how to make this up to them. He was right – if they want to live, then they’ll have to leave me alone. But Harry remembered when Sirius had tried to kill Pettigrew two years ago. Ron and Hermione were sure Sirius was there to kill Harry, and they’d told Sirius they’d have to kill them before they killed Harry. Would they do the same if Voldemort turned up at Hogwarts?

But then Harry realised, the chances of Voldemort appearing at Hogwarts were slim. Not while Albus Dumbledore was there. But, Harry thought grimly, as he climbed out of the shower, what if Dumbledore was fired? He did say he was going to defy to Ministry. What if Fudge thought Dumbledore should be sacked? Would Fudge be allowed to do it? Or would the board of governors, or even other Ministry officials say Fudge had gone mad? Harry tried to put this thought to back of his head, but then realised he’d done that a lot recently. He really ought to get a Pensieve. He got dressed and was about to go back into Ron’s room to put his stuff back in his trunk, when he heard someone in there. Harry put his head to the door, and listened in. He couldn’t hear much, so he pushed the door open a crack. He then peered inside, and could see Ron and Hermione were having a little conversation.

“Do you think he means it?” Ron asked Hermione. Hermione shrugged, and replied, still looking upset from earlier, “I’m not sure. But he’ll come around. He needs us right now. Without us, he’ll loose himself. He might do something stupid, like going after You-Know-Who.”

Harry thought Hermione obviously didn’t have much confidence in him. He wasn’t stupid enough to go after a maniac who wanted him dead. Even if he did kill his parents, it wasn’t worth much if he got killed as well.

“But Harry’s not that stupid, is he?” Ron said, backing him up. Hermione shrugged, and replied, “I wouldn’t know, Ron. I’ve never seen him like that. I could never imagine if Harry wasn’t our friend. Or even if Harry was...” she topped, and took out a tissue to wipe her eyes. Ron got off his bed, and crossed the room. “There there,” he said softly, trying to calm her, “Harry’s not going to – well, y’know.” Hermione sniffed, and nodded. They were only a few centimetres away from each other. Ron now looked awkward, as did Hermione, but Ron broke the uneasy silence, and said confidently, “Hermione, there’s something I need to tell you. Its hasn’t got anything to do with Harry, but its been on my mind for a long time now, and I need to get it off my chest.” He stuck out his hand, and she took it, as he led her towards his bed. They at down on it, and looked at each other. “Hermione,” Ron said, looking braver than Harry had ever seen him, “I’ve been talking with a few people. George and Ginny mostly. Ginny told me you’d said – something, and George told me I should do something about it.” He then took a deep breath, and said, glowing pink, and stuttered, “I – I really like you. And not just as a friend, but as someone – someone special.” Hermione eyes widened, and she looked surprised.

Why was she surprised? Why was Harry? Harry knew that Ron liked Hermione, but did Hermione like him? It would explain an awful lot...

“Ron,” she said, smiling at him in a loving way, “I like you too.” Ron almost fell off the bed. “Y-You do?” he asked, looking like he dare not believe what Hermione had just said. She smiled at him, and leaned in towards him, “Of course I do, Ron. I care about you more than anyone in the whole world.” Ron blushed pink, and asked, “Even more than Harry? Or Krum?” Hermione laughed, but not a girl’s giggle, but a proper throaty laugh, and replied, “Krum was my first boyfriend, Ron. And I didn’t care about him as much as he cared for me. We left it as being friends just before he left for home. And as for Harry – well, you know that me and Harry are just friends.” Ron nodded, the pink seeming to fade from his face, replaced by the confident look he’d had before. Their lips were now mere inches away from each other, and Harry knew that this was it. Without another word from either one of them, they kissed. Harry decided this was the part where he looked away. He could have just barged in, and caught them in the act. But these were his best friends, who he knew had liked each other for quite a while. Ron had shown his affection for Hermione quite early on, but it took Fleur Delacour to show her the way. Now, as Harry had predicted to himself, Ron and Hermione were finally together. He felt almost jealous, as Hermione had kissed him at the station. But, he guessed, they were an almost perfect couple. Almost.

It was quite some time before Harry heard anything again, and looked through the crack between the door and the doorway again.

“So,” Hermione said, a small smile on her face. They had just had their first kiss, and both of them were looking a little nervous. “So,” repeated Ron, scratching behind his head, and looking assertively at Hermione. “What I meant,” Hermione said, her nervous smile getting stronger, “Was where do we go from here?” Ron shrugged, and ventured, “Telling Harry?” Hermione thought about this, and shook her head. “We shouldn’t tell him just yet. We’ll wait until he’s calmed down about earlier on, and then we’ll tell him. Harry needs us to be his friends, not hiding in bushes snogging, while he takes on You-Know-Who or something.” Ron nodded. But then he smiled slyly, “Snogging in bushes? Is that what you were doing last year?” Hermione hit him playfully, and slid her hands behind Ron, and said, “No. But I will this year. With you.”

And they continued kissing. Harry, feeling this was a time they should be left alone, pulled away from the door, and headed downstairs. He passed Ginny on the way, who asked him, “Did you make it up with them yet?” Harry shook his head, and smiled, leaving her outside her room. “No. They were a little, ‘busy’.”