A/N:Since you're so impatient, I decided to update the fourth chapter right away... By the way, THERE IS A REASON WHY THIS FIC IS AT PORTKEY! It's NOT an R/Hr fic, I would never do that!!!
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Chapter 4 - And a Worse Night
Did I already mention how terrible that day was? And you haven't even heard the second part of it.
I had just arrived to my apartment after leaving Harry's when I heard a *plop* coming from my fireplace. Ron's head smiled at me.
"Hi, how was your lunch?" he asked.
"Terrific," I lied, trying to smile.
"Are you OK? You look a little bit tense," said Ron, eyeing me suspiciously.
"Tense? What gives you that idea?" I replied. I always evade the question when I can't give an answer, and Ron knew it. Thanks goodness, he didn't press the subject.
"I was calling about tonight," he said.
"Oh yeah... We can't make it, Ron, I'm sorry," I said, remembering my argument with Harry.
"What? Why?"
"Harry has this... work thing, he said he couldn't miss it and he was really sorry."
"That sucks," said Ron "But you can come alone, can't you?"
What's wrong with men? Don't they understand women usually hate to bee third-wheels? Specially when you're in love with the guy and despise the girl. Ron noticed my hesitation and he put his pleading look - yeah, the very same he learnt in our fifth year and always made me help him with his Potions homework.
"Fine," I said sighing.
"You're the best!" he said, grinning. "I'll pick you up at 8," with that his head disappeared.
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It turned out that Ron had decided to show Hogsmeade to Elizabeth, so we went there. They were celebrating the "Annual Hogsmeade Festival", something that had been established since Voldemort's defeat. We used to attend every year, the three of us, sometimes with a Weasley companion. But this time, Harry wasn't here and I had to put up with her.
The main street was decorated with colorful magic balloons. There were all kind of magic stands. It was some sort of muggle amusement park, but way better. Although I have always loved that Festival, I wasn't having fun. Not only because I had to bear Ron's love demonstrations to Elizabeth, but because I felt guilty for the way I had treated Harry.
I knew he was right. I was being selfish, obsessive and unfair. What was happening to me? You know, a lot of things have changed since Hogwarts. Back then, Harry was the confused one and I was the supportive, mature and rational. But once that Voldemort was gone, Harry was freed of all his troubles, fears and sadness. He became much more mature. He started enjoying life and became a calm, reflexive and extremely wise wizard - some sort of a younger Lupin.
I, on the other hand, hadn't changed that much, despite what you may think for my bizarre behavior. You see, when we were at Hogwarts, I thought that I had to be always strong for Harry. He needed me. But when that ended, I became more relaxed and our friendship turned much more loose and confident. Ron was a different matter. With him I've always been the same, because he didn't need me in the way Harry did. Besides, in our relationship always had been this flirting thing. Not with Harry. Our friendship is perfectly platonic.
I like the way things are with him. He's the only one with whom I can be myself, and he's the only one I'd let witness this little hysterical episodes of mine. I trust Harry more than I trust myself. Especially this year, with Ron away, our friendship became incredible strong. How could I said those horrible things to him? Harry has always been there for me, he has always done anything I asked.
"Did you have a fight with Harry?" asked Elizabeth suddenly, looking at me. We were walking through the main avenue, Ron between the two of us.
I was surprised at the question. "Excuse me?" I said.
"You have a frown in your face. Actually, you've had it all night and you've barely spoke. If you ask me, that could only be a lover's fight do."
Ron also looked at me, interested.
"Did you?"
"No," I said, shaking me head "I haven't fought with Harry. I was just thinking about this trouble I had at the Ministry..."
"OK, OK, understood," said Ron, lifting his hand "For once, I don't want to hear you talking about your job, Herm, please." He stopped walking, pointing at the Three Broomsticks "What do you say ladies if I invite you to drink a couple of butterbeers?"
"Sounds great, Ronnie," agreed Elizabeth.
I decided to forget about Harry for a while... I would apologize to him later. This was my chance to make Ron notice me. As soon as we were sitting on the table and Madame Rosmerta had served us butterbeers, I directed all my attention to Ron.
"This place brings back so many memories," I commented slowly.
Ron eyes lit up. "Sure it does."
We started to talk about our school years. We remembered the good moments, Quidditch matches, Snape, Fred and George jokes, the time when I slapped Malfoy, the time when Harry and Ron drank the Polyjuice Potion...
An hour later we were still laughing and I had completely forgotten about Elizabeth. Obviously Ron had also, because he didn't even talk to her. Since she didn't understand what we were talking about she just stayed silent, smiling, laughing quietly at some times. Every once in a while she tried to make a remark, but we didn't really pay attention to her. I was in the glory. Ron was mine, again.
"Hey, it took me a month to learn that dancing spell!" exclaimed Ron when I reminded him about our Halloween Ball in seventh year. He had used a dancing spell on himself to surprise everyone, but something came out wrong and he couldn't stop dancing like a maniac all night.
"You've always been a bad dancer," I pointed between laughs.
"Wrong. I was a bad dancer," he said, becoming serious, although his eyes were still smiling. "Thanks to Lizzie. She taught me how to dance."
Lizzie? What did she had to do in our conversation? I looked at her across the table and I noticed she had reached her hand and grabbed Ron's. He seemed to realize she was there and kiss her hand. I shuddered when I saw that.
"Actually that's how we met," said Elizabeth, talking to me "We were at this party that my Dad had organized for the members of the team. Ronnie was standing in a corner, not daring to dance."
"So this lovely lady approached to me and forced me to dance with her," added Ron.
"It took a while for him to be able to follow me-"
" - but at the end we were the most popular couple in the ball room."
I looked at them in complete disgust. Now they were finishing each others sentences? It almost made me sick when Ron leaned to kiss her lips tenderly. I felt a rush of anxiety and stood up violently. They snapped their heads, surprised at my violent movement.
"I'm sorry... I gotta go," I said hastily, grabbing my coat. My hands were shaking.
"Why? It's still early," said Ron, frowning.
He squeezed Elizabeth's hand. My mind suddenly filled with thoughts of what they would like to do if they were alone. I was obviously bothering them, but Ron would never admit that. I could felt the frustrated tears pushing to came out of my eyes. I wouldn't let him see me like this.
"I'm really tired," I said, my voice almost a whisper. "I'll see you tomorrow, OK?" I added, smiling sadly. That Sunday we would have to attend to a lunch organized by Elizabeth's parents to meet the whole family. I would have to "become acquainted" with the other bride's maids and all that stupid wedding stuff.
"Do you want me to walk you home?" Ron suggested. I knew he wouldn't enjoy doing that. For a second I thought of saying yes, but then my good side came up.
"Ron, have you forgotten I can apparate?" I said, trying to make it sound like a joke. My voice sounded bitter, though. "Bye guys!"
Instead of apparating in my apartment, I did it in the corridor, outside Harry's place. Tears had won the battle and they were running furiously down my cheeks. I felt so stupid, and I hated to be crying. When did I become so... girly? I remembered Harry was angry at me, so it didn't feel right to just apparate in his living room. But I needed a friend, and besides Ron, Harry was the only one I had.
I knocked three times - our signal. I was already sobbing. He didn't open the door. He knew it was me, nobody else would knock at his door like that. Suddenly, I remembered the main reason of our argument. He had a date, how could I forgot? I looked at my watch. It was just 11, he was probably still out. Still crying I turned my back to his door, walking towards mine, when it opened. I turned around and saw Harry popping his head out.
"I'm sorry Harry, I forgot you were busy," I said. He looked at me and realized I was crying. I could saw his green eyes filled with concern.
"What happened, Herm?" he asked, grabbing my arm to stop me from leaving.
"Nothing, don't worry," I said, trying to wipe my tears and smile, but failing miserably. I started to sob and Harry pulled me into a tight embrace.
"Come in," he said gently, his arm around my shoulders.
When I entered in his apartment I saw his date sitting in a couch on the living room with a cup of coffee in her lap. She stared at me, a little bit scared.
"Umm... This is my friend Hermione, the one I talked you about," said Harry, a little uncomfortable. The girl nodded. She was very pretty. Long, black hair and sparkling blue eyes.
Harry sat me down on the couch and ran to give me a glass of water. I buried my face in my hands. I heard Harry talking with the girl in whispers and then I heard the door shut. I lifted my head and noticed she wasn't there anymore.
"Where... did... she...go?" I asked between sobs.
"Fran went home," he answered simply, kneeling beside me.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Harry, I ruined your date. If you want, I can leave and..."
"Shht. Stop babbling," he said. "I'm not going to let you alone in the state you're in."
I started crying louder. After all I had said to him that afternoon, he was still comforting me, putting me above himself. What would I do without Harry? He hugged me and stroked my hair. I told him between sobs what had happened. How Ron was completely over me, no matter how I tried to get his attention. He was blinded by Elizabeth and I was going to lose him. Harry didn't say anything and just listened. I knew he disapproved my actions, but he had the tact to not mention it. We stayed in silence a very long time, and I must have fallen asleep, because I don't remember anything else about that day.
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