CHAPTER 6 - Harry's Next Problem
As the Yule Ball sneaked closer and closer, a thought crossed Harry's mind while playing a game of Wizard's Chess that nigh with Ron in the Great Hall.
"Ron?" Harry said, as his Castle knocked one of Ron's Pawns off the board, "I haven't anything to wear."
"Sure you do," Ron answered, his Knight slicing Harry's Castle in half, "just wear another robe tomorrow. I mean, since when DON'T you have anything to wear!"
"Not for tomorrow dummy!" Harry yelled, getting frustrated, as his Bishop toppled another pawn. "For the Yule Ball!"
"Oh!" cried Ron, feeling stupid, moving his Knight toward Harry's Queen. A smile flashed across the face Ron.
"What's the smile for?" Harry asked, still upset.
"Not to worry Harry," Ron said, "I knew something like this would happen so, I got a little help from mum while I was away."
"What!?" exclaimed Harry, no longer looking upset, but rather excited.
Ron didn't answer. He just sat there, still with the same grin on his face.
"Oh yeah! One more thing," Ron said. Harry looked up toward him. "CHECKMATE!"
With that, Ron grabbed Harry by the collar of his robes and tugged him all the way to the boys' dormitories. Ron lead Harry all the way to his trunk and opened it up to pull out a silk-like black bag.
"Here," he said, handing it toward Harry, still smiling, "from my mum."
Harry looked inside the bag but couldn't see anything. Whatever it was, it was dark. He put his hand inside, felt a soft fabric, and pulled out its contents. Harry's face lit up as he came face-to-face with brand-new dress robes. The dress robes were midnight blue and around the hemming of the collar, the sleeves, and the bottom, there was a sky blue trim.
"Wow Ron," said Harry, astonished. "This is marvelous."
"Yeah," said Ron, casually. "Told mum about your little task, and she volunteered to help out. She thought that would be the perfect one for you to wear for Hermione. Even thought she's not wearing it, you know how much she fancies blue!"
"You're right about that," said Harry, still admiring the dress robes. "Thanks again Ron, this is the best!"
"Anytime mate!" Ron said, leaning back into his chair, sighing.
Harry made his way toward his trunk, took out an small pouch, and tossed it to Ron.
"Half of its for you, the other half for your mom." Harry said, storing his dress robe away.
Ron dumped out its contents onto his lap and his eyes widened as he looked at what looked like about 50 Gold Galleons. He looked up to Harry as if to say something, but Harry spoke first.
"Don't say anything Ron, just nod your head, take what you need and give the rest to your mum. Give no explanation on how you got it. Ok? You and your family's done so much for me, and I've never really got to pay you all back." said Harry, eyeing Ron.
Sure enough, Ron nodded his head, took about 10 Galleons (That's all he really needed) and sent the other 40 home by owl post.
***
After putting on their pajamas and getting ready for bed, the two boys lay down on their beds. After a couple of minutes of Harry attempting to sleep and constant tossing and turning, he got up and put a robe on, feeling very impatient with himself.
"I'm going downstairs Ron," said Harry consciously, "I'm going to get a drink of - water…"
By the loud sounds of Ron's snoring, Harry knew that he didn't hear a word he said. Harry smiled, shook his head and headed out the door
Harry walked down the stairs into the common room, rubbing his eyes lazily. He was surprised to find someone there. He had to rub his eyes harder to make sure he wasn't still sleeping. Sitting on the floor with her head down on a book, on a small coffee table, was Hermione. She had obviously fallen asleep while reading. This didn't surprise Harry. He just chuckled happily and shook his head.
"Hermione," he said, although fully aware that she didn't hear him, "All this reading really isn't good for you."
He looked at her and fell into his trance again. He had never seen Hermione sleep before and what a site it was. She looked beautiful in the dim light of the fireplace. And she looked so peaceful.
"Now what do I do?" he asked himself as though talking to a real person. "Should I wake her? No, she must be really tired. I can't disturb her sleep. But I can't leave her like that either. She'll get cramps. I know…" He walked over to her and carefully slid an arm under her kneecaps, still being a gentleman and not fumbling around too much to disturb her skirt. With his other arm, he cradled it under Hermione's head and let her fall into it. With one smooth moment, he lifted Hermione up, now carrying her like a mother would her infant.
Without waking her, he slowly tiptoed over to a couch and placed her softly on top of it. He ran upstairs and took an extra pillow and blanket from the boys' dormitories and he put the pillow under Hermione's head and covered her with the blanket.
"There, that's better," said Harry looking satisfied, as if he just fought in a war. "Sorry Hermione, I would've brought you to the girls dormitories, but the girls' would've killed me if they woke up and saw me." he said, as though she could hear him.
"But I can't just leave her," Harry continued. "Maybe I should just stay here with her and at least keep her company." He sat down in a chair beside the sofa. He didn't feel tired or thirsty anymore. He sat there, starring at Hermione absentmindedly, her hair wild, her mouth slightly open, and the way her body moved up and down as she breathed.
He mindlessly watched her for what seemed like hours before Harry found himself also sleeping as happily as Hermione.