Mixed Signals and Crossed Wires

Setting: during their fifth year at Hogwarts; Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is still Dolores Umbridge

Chapter 1: State of Shock

Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked to their first class of the day, Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"What a bloody well horrible way to begin the day," huffed Ron.

"Oddly enough, Ron, I agree with you," said Hermione.

"What do you mean odd?" asked Ron; he had just walked in front of Hermione so she and Harry could see the glare he had placed on his face.

"I mean it is a rare occasion that I agree with you on something involving class," replied Hermione who was returning Ron's glare.

Harry looked at the two in the corridor, wondering if they realized that other Hogwarts students who thought they were having a staring contest surrounded them. He sighed and walked between the two, pulling Ron's robe collar so he would follow. Hermione had just continued to glare after Ron. When she stopped and noticed the people around her she called to everyone while waving them away "Shoo! Shoo! What are you looking at Parkinson?"

Harry was getting tired of their arguing. Even though this argument turned into a glaring contest, he had had enough of their yelling, glaring, and arguments in general. What a cruddy thing to argue about! Just because Hermione hardly ever agrees with Ron about class, Harry thought.

"What's your problem Ron?" asked Harry pinning Ron to the wall in frustration.

"What are you talking about? I have no problem! You should be asking Hermione that!" Ron yelled in reply looking away from Harry's face.

"Do you enjoy arguing with Hermione or something?" shouted Harry.

"No--" started Ron.

"Do you just actually hate her? Do you only hang out with her because I always hang out with her?" interrupted Harry.

"No... it's not that, it's just --" started Ron again.

"It's just what, Ron? It's just WHAT?" he yelled aggravated.

"It's just... I guess I... I err.... I...I..." stuttered Ron. His ears and face started to redden.

Harry raised his eyebrow and said, "You guess you what? Like her?" Harry gave a small laugh at the idea, but upon seeing Ron's nervous look he stopped.

Ron's swallowed and nodded slightly while pulling on the collar of his shirt beneath his robes as if it was hot.

Harry's eyes widened and he let go of Ron and walked towards Umbridge's classroom. I've just had the last 5 years of arguments between Hermione and Ron explained to me with a nod, thought Harry. He walked in a daze to the classroom. Once he had taken his seat in the back, the class bell broke him from his daze. He looked to either side of him and saw Ron and Hermione sitting to his right.

"Good morning class!" said Professor Umbridge.

"Good morning Professor Umbridge," said the class in a bored tone. Harry said nothing but moved his mouth to the words.

"Put away your wands and open your books to chapter 24 and read. There will be no need for talking," said Professor Umbridge.

When lunch came, Harry sat by himself for a few minutes of it. Ron walked to him with Hermione behind him. Ron told Hermione to go and she walked away. Ron sat next to Harry, who was quietly sipping his pumpkin juice. There was an awkward silence between the two until Ron asked "Do you hate me for liking Hermione?" Harry looked up from his plate of mashed potatoes and chicken.

"I don't hate you. I'm not really sure if that's possible," said Harry solemnly.

"Bloody hell, Harry! Then why haven't you spoken to me since I told you?" asked Ron, starting to look confused.

"Well, because I've been in shock. All this bickering between you two... and you actually like her." Harry looked lost in thought for a moment then he turned to Ron, "Have you told Hermione?" Ron looked shocked and said slowly, "No. Why?"

Harry looked at Ron in disbelief.

"What do you mean why? So you can ask her to go with you to the next Hogsmeade visit," said Harry.

"Harry," Ron started, his ears and face turning pink again. "I don't know. I'd like to tell her, but what if she thinks I'm just joking, or...or... just doesn't like me at all. Than that would sort of shove you in the middle."

Harry thought about this for a minute while shoveling down some mashed potatoes and taking a bite of chicken. He wiped his mouth with a napkin, and got up.

Ron got up to follow him but Harry pushed his shoulders down before he got up. Ron looked at him like Harry was insane, but he remained seated. Harry walked over to Hermione and tapped her shoulder. She turned around with a surprised look.

"Harry! Ron said you were mad at him, what's wrong?" asked Hermione.

Harry pulled her aside to just outside the Great Hall.

"Harry? What's wrong, is there something wrong with Snuffles?" asked Hermione starting to look alarmed.

"No. He's fine, but I just wanted to ask...how do you feel about Ron?" Harry asked, starting to feel his ears heat up.

Hermione looked at him a little confused. "What do you mean? Ron's a great friend, if that's what you mean."

Harry shook his head rapidly.

"Hermione! I thought you of all people would understand what I mean! I'm not asking if you think Ron's a good friend or not!" said Harry starting to get annoyed.

"Well then Harry, I guess I just don't - Oh, oh! I understand now, you're asking me if I fancy Ron..." Hermione said, finally understanding. "I... err... guess I'm not really sure. I mean I like him... but I'm not sure if I like him like that..." Hermione started to blush. Her face got redder and redder by the second. She looked at her feet. "I'm truly not sure how... I... feel about him..."

"Okay. Whatever, I was just asking," Harry said and walked back into the Great Hall, but Hermione grabbed his arm and spun him around.

"Why do you ask, Harry?" asked Hermione suspiciously.

"No reason, really. Just forget it," replied Harry tugging his arm out of her grip and trying to go through the door.

"Harry! Tell me why you asked, you wouldn't have asked me that if you didn't have a real reason," said Hermione starting to have a look on her face that looked like a mix of confusion and frustration.

"Just come of it Hermione!" Harry looked around making sure no one listened. "I'll tell you later, when we're in the common room."

Hermione sighed and let go of his arm. He walked over to sit next to Ron and went back to eating his chicken.

"What did you do that for?" asked Ron suspiciously.

"Just ask Hermione out okay?" said Harry.

"Why? There's nowhere to go while we're at Hogwarts," said Ron, apparently trying to get out of asking her out.

"Just go outside, walk by the lake, talk without arguing for a change. You can do loads of stuff while you're still at Hogwarts, Ron," Harry told Ron.

"Bloody hell, Harry! Why do you want me to ask her out so badly?" questioned Ron sounding annoyed and embarrassed at the same time.

"Because you like her, and we've been friends with her since we met. So you already know what to start a conversation with her," Harry told his friend.

Ron looked down at the table, apparently staring at a tiny speck of food on it.

"... Harry, you act like it's not awkward to ask out one of your best friends. I mean, I do fancy her but I don't know if I should ask her out," said Ron, starting to get really red and embarrassed.

"Are you done with your food?" asked Harry. Ron nodded and Harry shoveled the last bit of mashed potatoes into his mouth. "Come on then, " Harry nodded toward the door while getting up. Ron followed alongside him.

"Harry! Are you going to answer me? Harry -whoa..." Ron stared at where Harry had just brought him. It was the lake, and it was beautiful. It was glistening blue and it looked as if there were stars you could just take out of the lake.

"Told you that you could still go out while you're at Hogwarts," said Harry noticing the astonished expression on his friends face.

"How in the world did you stumble across this, mate?" asked Ron who still looked astonished at the beauty of the lake.

Harry started to blush. "Well, I've sort of been meaning to ask Cho out and was looking for a place in Hogwarts to take her..." said Harry starting to look at his feet.

"So you lecture me to ask Hermione out, but you can't even ask Cho out?" asked Ron, now looking at Harry who was still examining his shoelaces.

"..."

"That's what I thought. You don't even practice what you tell me to do."

"Err... Sorry Ron, it's just... Cho's never alone; she always has her friends around her... and, well, I don't know... I guess I'm just a shy guy when it comes to girls Ron..."

Ron considered this for a while. He had a smug look on his face momentarily, and then gave a short laugh.

"You are aren't you?" said Ron laughingly.

"Shut up," said Harry, now gazing at the lake.

Ron and Harry walked back to the school grounds and up the stairs to the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Password?" said the Fat Lady.

"Mimbulus mimbletonia," said Harry and they crawled through the hole in the wall once the portrait swung open.

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