Part Two- Harry and Ron
Harry didn't sleep well.
After he'd finally convinced his body that it was ok to move again, he'd rushed up to the sixth year boy's dorm wanting to talk about what had just happened. It occurred to him, however, right after he opened the door, that there was no one to tell. The slightly silly grin that had claimed his face disappeared as reality came crashing down around him again. He had kissed Hermione. He had enjoyed kissing Hermione. He would very much enjoy kissing Hermione again. And he couldn't tell Ron, because Ron fancied her too. Ron was going to hate him.
His heart sank and stomach was now somewhere around his feet. He'd crept to his four-poster quietly and lay down, drawing the hangings without even bothering to put on his pyjamas. He lay awake for a long time, his mind in turmoil. He couldn't imagine how he could tell Ron that he, Harry, now fancied Hermione, had kissed Hermione, especially after Hermione had already rejected Ron. He could imagine that the commotion that would result in would make their row in fourth year look like a minor spat. Then what of Hermione? A cold fear had grown in his gut the more he replayed the scene in his mind. She had never actually said who it was that she fancied. She'd just said that it wasn't Krum or Ron. That didn't mean that it was Harry. He'd thought that it had been mutual but her reaction really did cast doubt on that perception.
Of course, if Hermione actually fancied neither of her best friends then at least he and Ron might be able to remain on good terms. Perhaps he would just tell Hermione it was a mistake and not to say anything to Ron. That way she could go and find whoever the bloke was that she really did fancy and Harry and Ron could…what? Sit around and pine after her as they watched her date whoever he was? Harry laughed mirthlessly as he thought back on Rita Skeeter's article about Hermione, Krum, and himself. What great fun she would have with this. He could just see the headline: Terrible Trio Triangle: Boy Who Lived and Best Friend Both Have Hearts Broken by Mutual Best Friend.
That just wouldn't do. Harry was quite certain that he didn't want to see Hermione dating anyone else and he could almost swear that she seemed to return his feelings. Did that mean that they could date? That he wanted to date her? He had a good idea, but it all still came back around to Ron. Wasn't it wrong of Harry to go after Hermione if Ron had liked her first, even kissed her first? He recoiled slightly at the thought. But she rejected him, a little voice in his head said, She wanted you. That's not your fault. As much as he wanted to believe it he was sure it wasn't and would never be that simple.
When he finally dozed off, his dreams were filled with terrible images. Hermione was perched atop the center ring on the Quidditch pitch, but whenever Harry tried to get to her Ron kept blagging him, holding onto the tail of his Firebolt, and stopping him from getting there. Harry would look back and remind Ron that they were on the same team, that there was no reason to hinder him. But Ron would insist that this was the side he was supposed to be Keeping and he would not let Harry go. The stands were filled with girls and all of them were wearing hats of Ron's head that roared and they were cheering Ron on as he held Harry back, singing verse after verse of 'Weasley Is Our King'. Every time Harry thought that he might get away from Ron and finally reach Hermione, Cho would show up, zipping around on her broom trying to catch the snitch, a spectacle which Harry could not help but to watch. And eventually Hermione would fall from the goal post and Ron still wouldn't let go of Harry's broom and someone else would swoop in and catch Hermione before she hit the ground. Many times Harry couldn't make the person out, but sometimes it was Victor Krum, other times it was Neville Longbottom, or Terry Boot, Ernie MacMillan or Seamus Finnegan. A few times it was even Draco Malfoy. Half of the male population of Hogwarts made an appearance and each one of them would reach Hermione before Harry could. And once they caught Hermione they would keep on flying and Ron would only let go when they were too far off for Harry to catch.
When Harry awoke he found that everyone else was already gone. For a moment, he feared that he would be late for class, and then he remembered that it was Sunday. He hurriedly showered and dressed, all the while trying to think of a plan of action. He was no closer to deciding what to say to Ron than he had been last night, but he had, at least, resolved in his mind that he would straighten things out with Hermione first. For better or for worse. One of the few things of which he was certain was that he had feelings for Hermione that went beyond friendship and no matter what happened next he had acted on those feelings just moments after they had made themselves known in his mind. Even if nothing came of it at all they couldn't just pretend it never happened. Harry had spent the past few months (though he didn't know it then) witnessing what that avoidance had done to Ron and Hermione's friendship, he didn't want anything to come between him and Hermione.
Harry's first stop was the Great Hall as it was nearly lunchtime. When he got there, however, it wasn't Hermione he found. Ron was sitting at the Gryffindor table half-heartedly poking a fork at his food. Harry hesitated for a moment, hovering in the doorway, but before he could decide whether or not to go in, Ron looked up and spotted him. Harry didn't have much choice but to join him. He sat down across from Ron as they exchanged quiet hellos. Ron's eyes went immediately back to his plate and for a moment Harry seemed to find the enchanted ceiling far more interesting than he had in years. When the silence stretched between them for so long that it was almost physically painful Harry finally spoke up.
"Have you seen Hermione?" he asked and immediately wished that he had not.
Ron's eyes narrowed and his face reddened slightly. "Haven't seen her all day," he responded curtly.
Harry didn't know what it was that made him press on, but press on he did. "Do you get the feeling that, maybe, she's upset about something?"
Ron cast Harry an appraising look as his face became even redder. Harry did his best not to look suspicious. Ron turned his eyes back to his plate before he answered.
"Maybe," he said quietly. "I…I think so."
Harry's spirits rose slightly. It seemed as if Ron was finally ready to tell Harry about what had happened between him and Hermione. If he could admit that then maybe Harry could admit to the previous night's happenings; maybe they could just talk it out. As Harry waited, it was as though their respective secrets hung in the hair between them like Garroting Gas, undetectable, but deadly all the same. If they could clear the air then they could close the distance between them. Perhaps then Harry would be able to share those things with Ron that had nothing to do with Hermione at all.
"Do you-Do you have any idea what it is that's bothering her?" Harry asked hopefully.
Ron looked up at him suddenly, meeting his eyes. They stared that way for what seemed like forever. Then Ron turned back to his plate.
"No idea," he lied.
Harry swallowed and nodded ever so slightly. Disappointment, anger, and guilt all warred within him. He didn't know which emotion was going to win out, but he did know that he didn't feel like talking to Ron anymore.
"What about you?" Ron asked.
"What?"
"Do you know what's bothering Hermione?"
Ron was looking at him again. There seemed to be a mixture of suspicion and anxiety playing across his face. Harry didn't know whether Ron was suspicious of Harry's interest in Hermione or about the depth of Harry's knowledge about what had gone on between Ron and Hermione.
"No," he answered. There was a chill to his voice. "Look, I've got to go get working on my Potions essay. I'll, uh, see you later."
Harry rose and began to walk away. He thought he might have heard Ron say something, but he pretended that he did not.
Once he cleared the Great Hall he headed immediately for the library. After all, what better place was there to find Hermione Granger than the library? But Hermione wasn't in the library. He had wandered about and searched every nook and cranny until Madam Pince had tired of him not actually reading anything and put him out. He'd wandered the halls then, wondering where Hermione had gotten off to if she wasn't in the library.
He checked a few empty classrooms but decided that was a futile endeavor rather soon. Of course, he was helped along by Filch eyeing him suspiciously after he exited a classroom. Harry had mumbled something about leaving his favorite quill and hurried off. He was going to check the Room of Requirement when it occurred to him that he knew has a surefire way to find Hermione. He hurried back to Gryffindor Tower, speeding past the Fat Lady so quickly that she scolded him loudly, and went immediately to his room. He tossed a few things out of his trunk as he searched before he found what he was looking for.
Harry removed the Marauder's Map and unfolded it. He tapped his wand on it lightly and mumbled the password. As Hogwarts appeared on the old piece of parchment he searched for Hermione. He felt a pang of irrational jealousy when he saw that the dot labeled "Ronald Weasley" was in the library. Harry knew that looking for Hermione was the only reason that Ron would ever be in the library on a Sunday. He ignored the mild pleasure he took in the knowledge that Ron would not find Hermione before he did. His eyes scanned the map for a few more moments before he finally pinpointed her. The dot labeled "Hermione Granger" was outside on the grounds, near the lake. She didn't seem to be moving so, Harry, hoping that he could catch her, folded the map, placed it in his pocket, and hurried back down through the common room and out the portrait hole.