CHAPTER 2 - Harry's Problem
Harry got up the next morning to find Ron doing the same. It was snowing softly outside as they both got dressed and made their way to The Great Hall to have breakfast. Hermione was already there.
"Morning Hermione," Ron said and sat himself next to her.
Harry, of course, noticed this, gave a very small smile, and shook his head slowly out of disappointment. He sat across from them as like the night before and propped his head on his hand, looking down at the table with his eyes closed.
"Morning Ron," Hermione replied. She looked over at Harry and saw the blank look on his face. The same one Harry had before but failed to notice last night. She became worried, and even saddened, at the sight she saw. She turned her head toward Ron, in hope to find an answer, but Ron just shrugged. She turned back to Harry with a concerned look on her face. She noticed that Harry hadn't said 'good morning' this time. It was unlike him because he always said 'good morning'.
"Harry?" she said concerned.
"Yeah," he answered, looking up at her.
"Are you ok Harry?" she asked. "And don't say 'yes' because I know your not. That look on your face gives it away. With you being the Head Boy, you should set a good example for the underclassmen!"
Harry didn't know what happened, but what Hermione had said made him feel very agitated and irritated. "Fine!" he shouted, standing up, "If you have to know, NO OK! I'm not! I'm just having a bad day!" He said this so loudly everyone in the Hall had quieted down and was staring at him. "I'm just going to leave you two alone!" And he stormed out.
"Harry wait!" Hermione shouted. "I…" but it was too late. Harry was long gone. "He's rather hostile this morning, isn't he? What on Earth is wrong with him?" she asked turning to Ron.
"I have no idea," he replied. "He's been like that since last night."
They could hear people talking in the Hall as to what could've made Harry so upset to storm out. "I noticed it started to happen at our study session last night."
"Well could you try to find out, Ron?" she asked sternly, "You're his best friend and I'm sure he'll tell you if you ask him. I'm just really concerned about him."
"I'll try. But I can't make any promises."
"Well I need to be going to…"
"The library." Ron finished.
"Yes the library!" she snapped. "I need to finish something up." And she walked off, books in hand.
Ron left The Great Hall and made his way to the Gryffindor common room hoping to find Harry there. To his surprise, he did find Harry there, lying on the couch with his forearm over his eyes and one of his legs hanging off the side.
"Harry? Do you want to talk?" he said as he made his way through the Fat Lady portrait.
Harry sat up and looked as Ron walked to the other side of the couch.
"I really don't know if I can," Harry replied as though the incident in The Great Hall never happened. "Something is bothering me, but I can't talk about it. Not now."
"Don't worry Harry, I know what it is," Ron said casually. "It was bothering me a bit also."
"What?" Harry asked. He looked scared as if Ron could read his mind and know what exactly what was bothering him.
"The Yule Ball," he answered. "Don't worry, I was feeling exactly like you when I knew I had to ask someone again."
"Oh," Harry lied, "you really read my mind."
"So have you asked her yet?" Ron asked coolly.
"Who!?" Harry said, getting worried as to where this was going.
"Oh come on Harry! You know who I'm talking about!" exclaimed Ron.
The look on Harry's face gave him the answer 'no'. Ron sighed. "Hermione, Harry! Hermione!"
"What!?" he gasped. Trying to hide that Ron was right.
"It's obvious to me Harry. I see the way you look at her when she goes about her day. And you have been EXTRA nice to her since the start of the school year when you both found out you two were Head Boy and Head Girl of Gryffindor. I don't exactly remember when, but I told myself that you liked her. I haven't said anything to you just in case I might've been wrong…So?"
"So…what?"
"Am I right? Do you like Hermione?"
"Ron," Harry sighed, completely ignoring Ron's question, "all I want to do is ask Hermione to the Yule Ball. That's all. But…what about you?"
"What about me?"
"Don't you want to ask her?"
"Oh bloody hell, Harry! No I don't. I mean, I've already asked Lavender Brow…." Ron's eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait a minute! That's it isn't it!" he exclaimed standing up. "What's really bothering you! You think that I've already asked Hermione to the ball and you were too slow to do it!" Harry just stared at him. He didn't know if that was an insult or not. Ron knew what he was thinking and said, "Don't worry Harry. First, I haven't asked Hermione to the ball. Second, I can assure you that there is nothing going on between Hermione and me. And third, there's no Viktor Krum to sweep her off her feet. So as far as I'm concerned, she's all yours! That is, if someone else hasn't already asked her.
Harry still sat there and took in all of what he just heard. "So, there's nothing going on between Ron and Hermione," he thought to himself. "That means that I've been so upset these past few days for no reason at all. I'M SUCH A DUMB PRAT!!!" Harry just shook his head. "So what do I do now?" he asked Ron.
"Well, the day where the students leave for the Christmas holidays is coming up soon. You and Hermione both know that I'm leaving. And you and I both know Hermione will be staying this year." Harry gave Ron his 'so?' look. "Ugh, that'll give you more than enough time alone to ask her to the ball!"
Harry nodded and stood up. "You're right Ron. I will ask her to the ball!" he said triumphantly. He stood there for a moment and sat back down sadly. "If I ever get the courage to ask her," he added.
"Oh Harry, you will," Ron said encouragingly. "I mean, you tackled a mountain troll, became the youngest Seeker in a century, won the Tri-Wizard Tournament, took on He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named countless times, and you've asked a girl to a ball before, so asking Hermione should be no problem. Plus, you have tons of friendship to back you up. There's no reason for her to say no."
Harry nodded again, feeling better. "We best be heading to class then." Ron gave an irked at the thought of having to do schoolwork, but nonetheless, followed Harry as they made their way to class.