In the Name of Love

Ch2: "Awakening"

"Thought you guys would never get here," called out Harry, smiling wryly. " I was about to start dinner without you two."

Harry looked as his two friends rushed past the crowds who were crowding the Gryffindor table, congratulating Harry on his triumph the other night. Hermione got to him first, and with a big smile on her face, she hugged Harry. Unbeknownst to Hermione, Harry chuckled softly to himself, as it seemed she needed to hug him more for her own sense of relief.

"Harry! Thank goodness you're okay! Well, I mean, we knew that nothing too serious happened in terms of injuries, but still..." gushed Hermione.

"Hey mate," Ron smiled weakly, "Glad to see you out of the hospital wing." And then to Harry's, and to everyone else's surprise, he attempted to pull off what seemed like a hug. Harry, openmouthed, hugged him back.

This isn't like Ron, he thought to himself. The three of them then managed to get rid of the many well-wishers and sat down to eat.

"I don't know about you two, but I could personally eat a whole Hippogriff," said Ron, pulling the nearest platter of meat pie towards him. As Harry and Hermione looked on, the latter with horrified eyes, Ron devoured two slices of meat pie in less than forty seconds. One would think that they would have gotten used to Ron's 'eating habits,' but then again, one could also be wrong.

Tearing her eyes away from Ron, who was starting on a third slice, Hermione whispered, " So do we have any news on where Voldemort's hiding?"

"No," muttered Harry, a dark shadow immediately clouding his vibrant, green eyes. "We managed to foil his plans all right. He got his Deatheater groupies to go and hijack a Muggle bus full of school children. Luckily, the Aurors and I got there before they could perform any of those damnable curses. Voldemort's getting really desperate; it was little children, for god's sake..." Harry's voice croaked and he looked away towards the windows, at the blues and purples streaking the orange evening sky. Hermione's eyes dropped to the floor. Even Ron stopped shoving food into his mouth and stared sadly at his hands.

Sirius's death had unleashed something in Harry. It was as if the Furies themselves had taken up residence inside Harry's soul. They could both sense Harry's growing anger and frustration, and could tell that he was tethering on the edge--the edge dividing sanity and madness.

"Don't worry, 'Arry," Ron said with about as optimism as he could muster. "We'll have him soon. I mean there are only so many people out there who have red slits for eyes. He can't hide out long."

"Yeah. And remember, you always have us to fall back on. We're with you all the way." Hermione smiled at Harry and gave his hand a squeeze. Ron saw this and frowned.

For some odd reason, this friendly gesture hurt Ron. Ron angrily pondered, She doesn't have to squeeze his hands to make him feel better, does she?

Harry smiled gratefully back at them. Ron felt happy to see Harry smile. For the moment, he quickly forgot about it, but it resurfaced in the back of his head for the rest of the evening and it prickled him.

Ron tossed and turned. He tried drinking warm milk He tried counting sheep. He even tried reading Hogwarts: A History, in the hopes that it would bore him to sleep. Sleep eluded him nonetheless. Ron thought about looking up some sleep spells in his Charms book. Then upon thinking about his success with charms spells Ronald quickly reconsidered. Ron got up and stretched, and went over to the window. Finding a comfortable spot, Ron sat down on the ledge.

He looked out over the castle grounds. The moon hung silvery pale against the midnight black sky. The moonlight illuminated the grounds and the Forbidden Forest in the distance. Far away, he could see the lake shimmer and shine, as if a fairy had sprinkled sparkles and fairy dust over it. Ron found himself to be happy--almost wistful--to be witnessing nature in its ethereal beauty. He wished he could share this idyllic scene with someone. Much to his own pleasant amusement, he kept thinking that if he could share it with Hermione, it would make him the happiest.

Hermione would appreciate this, he thought, smiling to himself. Someone as nice and kind as Hermione would know exactly...what...wait a minute...why am I thinking of Hermione again? Ron's face broke into puzzlement. This is the third time in one day that I've been thinking of her. Ron shook his head. It can't be happening to me. I mean first of all, he rationalized, it's HERMIONE. It's Hermione Granger. Secondly, it's me! Ron Weasley. How can we ever be compatible? I mean she's ... she's like Ms. Smart Prat. And well... we... are VERY different... Ron kept running his hand through his hair. No... Can't be true. It's nothing. He gave himself a shake and got back into his bed. I can't be in love with Hermione Granger! His eyes began to flutter. It... can't be... It's not possible... is ... it...? And with those last thoughts in his head, Ron fell into a soundless sleep.