Disclaimer: They arent mine.
A/N: Right, this is a little fifth-year piece I wrote, just for the heck of it, after finishing an English essay on Frankenstein Dunno. Its not my best, but the idea sort of came into my head, and I couldnt really get it out. I may revise this later, but here it is as of now. Hope you like it.
Late November
By Veralidaine
It was raining. Again.
The castle was dark and dreary in the late-autumn weather, and the stone hallways were lit with torches, due to the fact that the light filtering through the vaulted windows was scarce and gray. Of course, it was late November, so the atmosphere was one of general dreariness. Christmas wasnt for another month, it was cold and wet and gray for the most part, and the leaves were all losing their colorful leaves in the wet winds that racked the grounds and forest.
The weather seemed to be affecting everyone, students and teachers alike. The general dankness of the castle caused more than one person to become grumpy and unpleasant, and this resulted in teachers generally being unfriendly, and in students being hostile and depressed. The Quidditch season had pretty much ended, what with the weather and restrictions on time spent outside. There seemed to be a general increase in homework, and the weather was bloody unbearableone couldnt even go for a walk outside.
And even if they could, they werent allowed. Strict rules had been enforced since the attacks on Muggles over the summer. There were no Hogsmeade visits, no walks through the grounds, no visits to Hagrids unless escorted by an adult staff member. All in all, this year was really, really boring. There was no great mystery as of yet, and no adventure to be had at the moment. It was just November. In the Gryffindor commons. During one of the usual long, dreary, drizzly days that were so unfortunately normal for that time of year.
Ron Weasley sat in a stupor, watching vaguely as Hermione read aloud from a large volumehe supposed it was their History of Magic text, but then, he wasnt really listening. The little gray light that was filtering in from one of the library windows hit her in just such a way that all of her features seemed lit up somehow, accentuating the way she looked. Ron found it very interesting, the way that the frizzy curls bouncing around her face as she read caught the light and looked well, to be extremely corny sort of pretty, almost? He supposed that was as good a term as any. Of course, it was just a thought. It wasnt like he liked her. Not like that. Nope.
Hermione looked up and sighed loudly. "Ron, you are taking notes right?"
"Hmm? Oh! Yes Sort of." He shuffled the stack of parchment in front of him importantly, glancing in her direction out of the corner of his eye to see her reaction.
She looked annoyed.
"Ive been reading for twenty minutes. How muchve you got?"
Ron shrugged, opened his mouth to reply, decided that would be stupid, shut it, opened it again, thought better of it, and shrugged again. "A few sentences. Give or take a few sentences." He shrugged yet again as she glared at him. "Look, its not you that needs notes. Youve got the damn book memorized from cover to cover. You could recite it without having it in your hands. Its me that needs notes."
"And youre not taking any. And dont swear, Ron." She rolled her eyes and grabbed the parchment, scanning over the rather meager marks hed made. "Oh, honestly. Youve written the first two sentences I read, Ron, and those werent even relevant."
"Then why on earth would the idiot who wrote that drivel have even put them in the book?" Ron said tonelessly. "I mean, whats the point?"
"Its an introduction. Most good writing has that."
"And this is good writing, how?"
She raised her eyes to the ceiling and sighed. "Ron, stop arguing and take some notes, will you?"
Ron exhaled loudly, throwing his quill down on the table in front of him and glaring at it. "Hermione, it is Saturday. Saturday. Why, may I ask, are we working?"
He stared out the window at the rain. "I mean, todays one of those days thats just meant to be spent playing chess, or Or exploding snap. Or something. But not studying. Its against all natural laws. No one does homework on Saturday. Its just not done." He glanced sideways at her.
"I do homework on Saturday," she sniffed, crossing her arms. "Is it really that odd?"
"Hermione, look outside." He waited, and finally, after a moment of just staring stubbornly at him, she sighed and looked out the window. "Right. See? It is just one of those days. We cant study."
" One of those days?" Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow and glancing at him skeptically. "One of what days?"
Ron shook his head. "One of those days when you want to go outside, but you cant, cause its all wet and cold. So you stay inside and do something quiet for a bit." He thought for a moment. "Or, in my case, you go hide in your closet where its at least a little quiet and play chess against yourself and hope Fred and George havent loosed anything dangerous in there that could be unpleasant." He shrugged, grinning. "You know one of those days."
Hermione looked thoughtful and not, Ron was relieved to see, skeptical or annoyed. "Well, I do actually know what you mean, I think " She tilted her head to the side, changing the angle at which the light hit her face. Ron had to stare again. "I always used to love staying inside on cold, rainy days and reading a really good book. All in one sitting. I never have time anymore, what with my duties as a Prefect, and my homework, and," she glanced at him, smiling in mock-annoyance, "helping you with your homework. But I used to love to curl up and just read, for hours at a time."
"Yeah," Ron said vaguely, staring at the now-forgotten parchment. "Its nice not to do anything, isnt it?"
She nodded, staring out the window, her mind obviously far away. Ron sighed, glancing across the room at the chessboard next to the roaring fire. Really, his mind was over there, strategizing and preparing to make his next move against himself in some nonexistent game. Well, except for the fact that he was a bit distracted by the girl sitting across the table from him. Hermione cleared her throat suddenly and turned back to him, curls bouncing around her face with the sudden movement.
"Well "
She grinned, suddenly. "You know, Ron, I think we actually agreed on something."
"No, we didnt," Ron said, smiling innocently. She looked as though she was about to argue, but then the joke hit her and she giggled.
"Youre not that funny."
"Yes, I am." He sat back in his seat, grinning at her. "Nah Glad you actually understood me for once."
Hermione nodded. "Yes I dont understand you a lot of the time, Ron Weasley." She glanced up at him. "You know, for having been friends since we were eleven, I dont know a lot about you."
Ron was a bit surprised at this. Hed actually intended to start a good-natured argument of some sort, but she was taking him seriously. Well, that was new. "Yeah. Same here." That was all he could come up with to say.
She nodded again, glancing out at the rain. It was quiet for a long time. Just as Ron was getting ready to say something, Hermione looked up. "I hope Harrys okay."
Ron nodded, distracted again and oddly disappointed. Yes, everything did go back to Harry, didnt it? That was another natural lawno one normal does homework on Saturdays, and every conversation must return to the topic of Harry Potter. Not that he was jealous. Nope.
Harry was currently in a meeting with Dumbledore and several other staff members. Apparently, they were discussing his recent Voldemort-oriented dreams. While Ron felt sorry for his friend for having to deal with the Dark Lord and pains in his scar and such, he couldnt stand the concern and attention he goteven from Rons own family. And Hermione. But that wasnt what bothered him, really. Well, considering the fact that his brain recited that he didnt care about that at least seventy times a day, he couldnt really care, right?
Right?
"Hes always exhausted when he gets back from those meetings," Hermione said softly.
"Hell be alright," Ron said, leaning back in his seat and staring out the window. The one time theyd started to have a somewhat deep conversation Well, deeper than arguing over nonsense, anyway. While Ron was worried for Harry, he also wished, somehow, that he and Hermione could actually talk for once. Alone. And he meant more than just an argument. Actually, Ron was had sort of convinced himself that if he didnt do something as simple as argue with Hermione, she wouldnt really even speak to him at all. Truth be told, she was right; they didnt know each other that well. Sure they knew about each other, but they had never actually sat down and had a conversation. Not like he and Harry did. So basically, without the arguments, they wouldnt talk, according to Ron-logic. And he figured that that would be thoroughly depressing.
Augh, its still raining
It was quiet for quite awhile, both teenagers staring out the window. Then Hermione cleared her throat again. "S something the matter?"
Ron blinked and pulled his gaze away from the rainy gray window. "No. Not really. I just wish it wasnt so wet out. I hate being cooped up inside."
"But werent you saying earlier ?"
"Well, yeah," Ron said, shrugging, "but thats when it rains. Like today. Just because I go play chess or something doesnt mean I wouldnt rather be playing Quidditch. Or something else outside that doesnt require studying." He grinned. "Weasleys dont like being stuck inside for extended periods of time."
"From what Ive seen, Weasleys dont even like sitting still for extended periods of time," Hermione said, quirking an eyebrow and smiling at him. Ron grinned back. Looking nervous, she sighed, trying and failing to run a hand through her hair. Looking frustrated at the knotting and pulling, she sighed again and, leaning forward, rested her elbows on the table. "Well, I like being outside, but really, I dont mind this. Not today, anyway. Besides, I would be bored if you and Harry went and played Quidditch again."
"Aw, come on, it doesnt frustrate you that much, does it?" Ron stared outside again and thought vaguely of sneaking out to take a walk, even if it was rainy and unpleasant out. He thought of communicating this idea to Hermione, but he figured shed probably go ballistic and sink into her "mini-McGonagall persona," as Ron had dubbed it, and tell him he couldnt, or else shed report him.
"Well, Im no good at Quidditch," she said, running a finger along the edge of the History of Magic texts cover. "And it gets boring for me after awhile. I mean," she added quickly, "Im thrilled that you and Harry are on the house teamthats great, reallybut you two are always leaving me out when you do that " she trailed off into silence, obviously feeling that shed said far too much at this point.
Ron was completely mystified by this sudden display of lack of confidence on Hermiones part. "I We didnt know you felt like that."
She shook her head. "Forget I said it. Doesnt matter."
"Yeah, it does," Ron said, not entirely believing what he was hearing. "Why are you being so weird all of a sudden?"
She looked up at him, biting her lower lip. After a moment of staring at him (in which Ron was exceedingly uncomfortable and prayed that his ears werent turning too noticeably red), she sighed. "Well "
"Yeah?" he prompted.
She glanced at him again. "Well, you remember first year, right?"
"Of course," Ron forgot the sarcastic remarks at the moment, deciding that it was more important to let her have her say on this one, uninterrupted and Ron-remark-free.
Sigh. "Well, you see, you and Harry were always so close as friends. I mean, you talk all the time. I was just sort of there? Really, we werent even friends until after Halloween. And even so, I was never really included the same way you two included each other." She shook her head staring at the table and tracing the designs of the wood with her fingertip. "And you know, sometimes I worry that you guys dont really like me that much " She glanced up at him, but quickly looked away. "Because, I mean, Im always bothering you about homework, or telling you that you cant do something, or being boring or a know-it-all, or"
"Whoa, whoa, stop there," Ron held up a hand, glancing at her worriedly. "Why would you think that?"
"Well " She wouldnt meet his eyes. "Uhm I never really had any Any real friends before you and Harry. And I guess I just keep telling myself not to get too attached, because its entirely possible that you two dont like me nearly as much as I like you." She looked up, red in the face. "And I do like you two, a lot. Despite my lapses into prefect-ness, or whatever it is you call it "
"Hermione," Ron leaned over to put a hand on hers, but jerked it away once he realized what he was doing. This confused Hermione even more and she glanced at him curiously. Ron sighed. "Look, Hermione, you have nothing to worry about. Really. I may tease you occasionallyokay, fine, a lot about being a know-it-all or being a prefect, but really, I dont mean it at all." She didnt look convinced, and Ron sighed. He hated it when she was upset. It was almost as bad, if not worse, than when Ginny was. "No, seriously, dont worry. Harry and I like you. Of course we like you. Now why would you question that?"
Hermione shrugged, obviously embarrassed and nervous. Hesitantly, Ron leaned over and put a hand on her shoulder. "Seriously "
She looked a little surprised at the touch. "Well Sometimes I worry that you wont want me around anymore, after awhile." She sighed, shaking her head, although she was obviously careful not to shake off his hand. "I dunno, this is silly. I shouldnt have said anything."
"No Its good that you did." Ron caught her eyes with his. "I mean, we dont talk that much. You said so yourself."
"Well, Ive talked. How about you?"
Ron took his hand off her shoulder, crossing his arms. "Well " He was not one to admit to insecurity, or, for that matter, all emotions, save anger. He sighed.
"Emm " He scratched the back of his neck.
"Ron, come on. I wont tell anyone " She gave him a pleading look. "I mean, Im sure you actually do care about things. And people. I know you pretend you dont, but"
"I do not!"
She sighed, lifting her hands in defense. "Okay, Ron. Sorry. Forget it." She opened the book. Ron hit himself, mentally. This was itthe chance to talk to her, without Harry or any embarrassmentthe twins were down in the kitchens; the common room was deserted. But Hermione had found her spot and opened her mouth to read
"WellsometimesIworrythatyoulikeHarryandyoutwowillforgetaboutme."
Hermione closed her mouth, looked at him, and shook her head lightly, as if to clear it. "What did you say?"
Ron cringed inwardly. Bugger. Now he had to talk. And hed picked the worst subject ever. How was it that it was at the tip of his tongue? Why couldnt he have picked something else? Now he had to talk about something important. But, wait, thats what hed wanted, right? Ugh This was confusing
"I Sometimes worry that you uhm like Harry. You know, like like Harry. And then you two will sort of leave me out of stuff, you know?" Ron tried to look at his feet, only to find, to his dismay, that he was sitting at a table and couldnt see them. Well, he could stare at the table, then. And try to ignore the way his ears were burning.
"Oh, Ron, how ridiculous!" He looked up. Hermione was shaking her head, looking at him with disbelief and amusement.
"What?"
"I dont like Harry! At least, not in that way."
Ron almost automatically said something about Krum, but then he remembered the break-up theyd had and decided it was uncalled-for. Which was a rather mature thing for him to decide, given the fact that he was Ron Weasley. "Uh Good?"
Hermione smiled warmly at him and leaned her cheek against her hand, resting her elbow on the table. "Well, were both insecure and silly, then, arent we?"
The way she was looking at him made Ron think (against his will) that hed probably have quite a bit more to be insecure and silly about, if he didnt stop staring at her like he was at the moment. "Yep."
She went for the book again, but Ron grabbed it quickly from her hands and tucked it under his arm, standing up and sending his chair scooting out behind him.
"Enough of this. Dyou want a game of chess?"
The initial shock and annoyance of having Ron take the book from her wore off quickly, and she smiled at him, half-disapproving, half-amused. "That would be lovely."
Yes, it was awkward. They were silly and insecure, and just waiting for Harry to get back so that they could forget (outwardly) that the conversation had ever even taken place. The truth was, though, both of them enjoyed it when one of the chess pieces got knocked over and, when they both reached over to pick it up, their hands brushed and both jerked away, giggling nervously. They played about three games before Hermiones borrowed chess pieces were too exhausted to continue, and then they both sat by the fire and talked, waiting for Harry, and complaining in between Rons jokes about the horrible November weather. Truth be told, for probably the first time ever, Ron Weasley did not mind staying cooped up inside for the day instead of playing Quidditch. Hermione, actually, was much more interesting. And, in the very depths of his being, he admitted it to himself.
Just this once.
A/N: Hope you liked it, sorry it was boring. I just get ideas like that and have to write them down. If you want to review, I really wont complain ^_^