A/N: Nothing really happens in the final two chapters, just as a warning. Nothing really gets resolved either, which is why I'm busily planning out a sequel. Thanks, to the usual suspects, Kristin and James for the beta. Also, everyone who wrote me a review on the last chapter, I tried replying to them all and I'm really sorry if I missed you, I promise that it wasn't on purpose. I'm not sure I'll have time this time around for review replies, but once I post 28 I promise to reply to everyone who leaves me a review.
A/N 2: There is a tiny part in here that may require having to go back to the end of chapter 10. If you get confused, that is.
When he woke up in the middle of the night, Harry lay disoriented for a moment, only aware of a dull ache in his jaw and abdomen. Blinking sleepily into the darkness, it took a moment before the images of the confrontation with Malfoy flashed through his mind. Quickly he identified what had awoken him, as the sounds of quiet sobbing permeated the otherwise quiet stillness of the hospital wing.
"Hermione?" he said softly into the darkness.
At the sound of his voice, the sobs quieted and Harry struggled to sit up. "Hermione?" he asked again. "I can't see anything… where are you?"
For one terrible minute, Harry was afraid she wouldn't answer him. Relief flooded through him at the sound of her voice. "I'm fine," she whispered hoarsely. "Go back to sleep."
Harry threw back his covers and padded over in the direction of her voice. "Hermione," he said gently. "I'm coming… just hold on a minute…"
"No," she choked out. "You need rest… I'm fine… I'm just being silly… Oh, Harry, don't…"
Finding her, Harry sunk down on the edge of her bed. "I'm fine, Hermione," he said softly. "Just, please, let me…"
"Harry…" she said again, his name coming out as barely more than a whisper. "I'm so sorry…"
Blindly, they reached out for each other. And then she was in his arms and he was holding her tightly against him and she was clinging to him with a trembling force. Harry winced in slight pain, but didn't move, his need to hold her outweighing any discomfort he might be feeling.
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed again, clutching him tightly.
"Shhh…" he said, rocking her. "It doesn't matter… there's nothing you could have done…"
She let out a sob. "I know…" she said hoarsely. "Malfoy was hurting you and I couldn't do anything, Harry. I couldn't… I could only watch… and I couldn't… I couldn't… help you…"
"Hermione…" he whispered, dully realizing that she was in shock. "It's okay, it doesn't matter…"
"But it does!" she burst out. "I've never felt more helpless in my life!"
"I know," Harry said. "When I thought that Malfoy might…" he stopped suddenly, the scene re-playing itself in his mind. "When I knew there was nothing I could do to help you… I've never been more terrified of anything in my life, Hermione."
"I hate him," Hermione said quietly. "I never did before, you know, not like you and Ron did. But I… I hate him now. I hate him for hurting you. And I hate him for making me watch."
"Hermione..."
"I can't help it," she said, cutting him off . "I know they'll never find him now. But one day, he's right, one day we'll see him again. And I'm going to…" Hermione trailed off, her voice dropping. "One day, he'll pay."
The steely determination in her voice chilled Harry and he hugged her closer, realizing that Malfoy had stolen whatever had been left of Hermione's innocence. Again, he couldn't help but wonder, if Ron hadn't shown up when he had…
Hermione seemed to read his mind. "I can still feel it," she said hoarsely. "Where he touched me… it won't go away…"
Hot anger flooded Harry's body and his hands shook. In that moment, he understood Hermione's desire for revenge perfectly. He had surrounded them in the middle of the night, stolen their wands, Malfoy had outnumbered them, out powered them, all done in an attempt to hurt him.
Sensing his anger, Hermione shifted and gently let her hand trail across his stomach. "He can't touch us now," she whispered fiercely. "We didn't let him win, Harry. He can't hurt us now. Never again… he can't touch us…"
"Hermione…" he croaked her name, reaching out for her again. He pushed his anger away as they clung to each other, shivering together as the memories of the night flashed through their minds. Then someone moved and Harry wasn't sure who it was, or maybe it was both of them at the same time, because they were kissing and their teeth were bumping painfully together because they couldn't see anything at all.
Her arms were wound tight around the back of his neck and when they broke away, Hermione pressed her face to his shoulder, her arms tightening around his neck. Harry barely noticed, and he gently stroked her hair, his previous high-emotion giving away to numb shock.
Ironically, the only thing he could think to say was, "Us and hospital wings, Hermione. Don't know what it is about all this sickness that has us snogging like we were in the Astronomy Tower."
Hermione turned her head and Harry could feel the hot puff of her breath on his neck. He knew she was smiling, though he could not see her. "See?" she whispered, one of her hands uncurling from the back of his neck so she could lightly trace over his jaw. "Malfoy can't even begin to take away what we have…"
"We're stronger together," Harry said abruptly, Dumbledore's earlier words floating into his mind. "Err… I mean, you and me and Ron. When we're together."
Hermione let out a delighted little laugh. "Oh, Harry, you are rather helpless, aren't you?"
"I... hey, what d'you mean by that?"
"Oh, nothing…" she said vaguely, her fingers continuing to dance across his face. "Harry… do you know… we're going to fall helplessly behind the study schedule I set up for exams…"
Harry frowned. "Hermione... exams... don't you think that-"
Harry was interrupted by the sound of a loud throat clearing. Harry and Hermione quickly broke apart, squinting into the total darkness of the hospital wing. They both jumped at the sound of Madam Pomfrey's steely voice. "I will not tolerate any canoodling in my hospital wing… the two of you need rest! This is hardly the place for displays of teenage hormones! Back to your bed, Potter, and if I catch you out of it one more time, I will chain you to it, mark my words."
Face burning red in embarrassment, Harry quickly slid off Hermione's bed and blindly groped his way towards his own. He could feel Madam Pomfrey's eyes on the back of his head as he settled under the covers.
***
Harry sensed that he did not want to open his eyes. He could hear commotion-lots of it. There were voices, all chatting away at once, loud and grating, exacerbating a splitting headache gathering behind his eyes.
Mentally, Harry took a quick inventory of his injuries, pleasantly relieved to find that he was no longer in any more physical discomfort. Whatever Madam Pomfrey had given him had certainly done the trick.
He was able to sit up and find his glasses without anyone noticing his presence. A quick look at Hermione's bed only showed her rumpled sheets-she was nowhere in sight. Harry turned back to the gaggle of voices, somewhat taken aback to find Ron and the members of the DA in a heated discussion amongst themselves. After listening for a few moments, Harry realized that they were talking about Malfoy's apparent disappearance.
"Should have stunned him," Ron was saying with a scowl. "Too worried about Harry, though… didn't want to give the other Slytherins a reason to hurt him."
"We had him cornered, though," Dean said, punching one fist into the other hand. "He was completely outnumbered."
"Malfoy's unpredictable," Ginny spoke up. "It was probably safest to just save Harry and Hermione and let Dumbledore deal with Malfoy."
"Didn't seem to do the trick, though, did it, Gin?" Ron said with disgust. "Malfoy's gone."
"And Hermione and I are okay," Harry said softly, causing all the DA members to jump and stare at him guiltily.
"Bloody hell, Harry!" Ron cried, putting a hand over his heart. "Don't do that!"
"Some good DA members we are," Seamus muttered. "We don't even notice when our protectorate wakes up…"
Harry blinked sleepily. "Protectorate?"
Ron had the decency to look embarrassed. "Well-err… Dumbledore was worried, you know…." Ron looked pleadingly around for help, but the rest of the DA members seemed very intent on studying the floor. "No one knows where Malfoy got to, Harry. Dumbledore just thought it'd be a wise idea if we kept an eye on you while everyone was at breakfast."
Harry was too drained to get properly worked up about it. "Good idea," he said, causing Ron's eyes to furrow in confusion. "Where's Hermione?"
"Toilet," Ron said helpfully. "Don't worry, not alone. Sent a bunch of DA members with her."
Harry stared at him, suspecting that Hermione was far from overjoyed with that idea. He threw his covers off and got to his feet while the others watched him with curiousity. Making a move towards the door, he was momentarily stunned when everyone moved to block his path. Scowling, Harry folded his arms over his chest.
"What's going on here?"
"Safety precautions," Ron filled in helpfully. "We'll walk you wherever you need to go-"
"Ron, I don't need a bodyguard!"
Ron's face was beginning to redden. "Well-I dunno, Harry. You and Hermione were certainly caught off guard last night…" Seeing the look on Harry's face, Ron rushed to explain. "I mean, I'm sure you had much more, err… important things on your mind… "
"It's okay, Harry," Dean filled in helpfully. "We have permission from Dumbledore, you know."
Harry made another move forward, his scowl widening when his steps were closely followed by members of the DA. "Okay," he said loudly. "I appreciate what you guys did for me last night and all, but I really don't want-"
"-Honestly, if you people don't stop following me around this very instant I'm going to... to... well, it's absolutely ridiculous at any rate! The mere notion that I need some kind of… of a… following… I'm perfectly capable of using the toilets on my own, thank you!"
Harry smiled a little in relief when Hermione came bursting into the hospital wing, looking no happier with the situation than he was. On her heels, she was being followed closely by Luna, Seamus, Neville, and Harry realized, with no small surprise, Cho.
"The loos are very dangerous, you know," Luna said mildly. "We had to make sure that Malfoy hadn't lain a trap… never know what's in there…"
"Yes, but was it really necessary for Seamus to burst in on me when I was trying to relieve myself?"
Harry's jaw dropped and he fixed Seamus with an accusatory glare. To his credit, Seamus backed up a few paces, looking more than a little nervous. "For her protection, you know, Harry…" he said weakly.
Harry caught Hermione's eye and they shared a bit of a grin. "I, uh, think we can manage from here," Harry said carefully. "Not that we're not thankful for what you did yesterday."
"Because we are," Hermione continued, looking around her pleadingly. "It's just that…"
"We get the hint," Ginny said, grinning. "C'mon guys, they want to be left alone."
Harry had a moment of surprise when the rest of the DA all turned to Ron, apparently seeking his permission. Ron scowled deeply, looking less than happy with the situation. "Fine," he snapped. "Go on, then."
With much flourish, the DA hurriedly departed, looking more than a little relieved. Feeling like his day could not get any stranger, Harry was stunned when Cho awkwardly approached him.
Harry, realizing he was staring with his mouth partially agape, quickly rushed to say something. "Err… hello, Cho," he managed. "How're you?"
Absentmindedly, she brushed a long lock of hair out of her eyes. "Oh… I'm fine; I guess…" she cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably. "So… are you… alright?"
"Yeah," Harry said feeling more uncomfortable and wishing that she would leave. "Look, it was really decent of you to come to our, err… rescue yesterday. So… thanks."
She smiled shyly. "Oh, well, you would have done the same for any of us in a second."
"Right," Harry said smiling weakly and wondering what Cho wanted. "So, err… are you… how are you?"
"You already asked me that," Cho said, leaning a little closer to him. "I'm doing well. I've been seeing Terry Boot now for a while. He's a nice fellow."
"I thought…" Harry trailed off and cleared his throat. "I heard that you were seeing Michael Coroner."
"Oh, that…" Cho said, forcing a laugh. "No, that's finished, he turned out to be a git. Didn't realize you were keeping track, though."
"I wasn't," Harry said defensively. "Hermione told me."
Cho frowned and there was a long stretch of silence. Harry glanced at his feet, feeling decidedly more awkward and not understanding why Cho wouldn't just leave.
Harry felt weak with relief when Hermione appeared next to him, a bright smile on her face. "Cho," she greeted pleasantly. "Thanks so much for what you did yesterday, I know it couldn't have been easy."
"Oh, well…" she said, backing up a step. "I was just telling Harry that it wasn't anything he would ever do for any of us."
"Mmhmm," Hermione said easily. "Well, it was nice seeing you again. Have a good morning!"
Then, taking Harry by the arm, Hermione led him away. Harry craned his neck over his shoulder in time to see Cho glare at their backs before turning on her heel and stomping away. "Thanks," Harry said quietly. "I dunno what she wanted."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "What do you think she wanted, Harry?"
Harry blinked slowly. "But-Hermione…" he stuttered. "That was ages ago! Besides, she's seeing someone else now… Terry Boot, I think…"
"Oh, I doubt she still fancies you," Hermione said airily. "She just doesn't like losing. You've moved on, therefore, she must show you how she's moved on. It's really quite simple."
"Simple?" Harry repeated, incredulous.
"And you moved onto me, no less," Hermione continued helpfully. "Which, actually, further proves her suspicions while the two of you were dating, thus giving her free reign to dislike you…"
"Dating?" Harry echoed again. "We were hardly… we went to Hogsmeade once! We kissed once! That hardly qualifies as dating."
"To you, maybe."
Harry frowned. "Does this mean that we've never dated?"
"Technically, I suppose," Hermione replied after thinking it over for a moment. "But we don't need to date. We have a mature relationship based upon mutual love, trust, and understanding. I hardly think we need to date."
"You don't want to date me?"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Really, Harry… that's hardly what I said. Besides, it's not like you've ever asked me out on a date before." Hermione gave a pained sigh. "But now's not really the time. We really need to talk to Ron."
"Yeah," Harry agreed weakly, eyes falling on his best friend who had sat down on the edge of Harry's hospital bed and was staring off into space, the same scowl on his face.
Harry and Hermione approached him in slight trepidation. Ron pretended not to notice.
"Ron…" Harry said, trying to keep his voice level. "What's… err… something bothering you, mate?"
Slowly Ron lifted his head. "No," he said moodily.
Hermione sighed again and sat down next to him. "It's okay, Ron," she said softly. "There wasn't-you did the best you could. What happened wasn't your fault."
Harry blinked, the cause of Ron's strange behaviour sinking in. He was guilty. He was guilty for not being there when Malfoy had cornered them. With small horror, Harry realized he'd feel much the same way if Malfoy ever threatened Ron and Hermione while he was off somewhere else.
"Ron," he said quietly. "Hermione's right. Malfoy probably planned it that way. He knew if he cornered the three of us, he'd never get away with it."
"That's just it," Ron muttered. "I should've been there."
"You were," Hermione said firmly. "When it mattered most, you were. Don't you see that, Ron? There was nothing Harry and I could do. If it hadn't been for you, well…"
"Yeah, and Harry was beaten near unconscious by the time I got there," Ron snapped. "Some help I was."
"C'mon, Ron," Harry said, beginning to lose patience. "We're telling you, you were loads of help, okay?"
Ron didn't look convinced, but he nodded anyway, clearly wanting to let the subject drop. Hermione chewed on her bottom lip, looking eager to ask him something. "Ron?" she asked breathlessly, looking as though she was mad with curiosity. "Can I ask… how did you know what happened? And how did you get the old DA together so quickly?"
"Oh-that…" Ron said, blushing a little in embarrassment. "Well, I saw it. Me and Seamus and Dean stayed out a little later than we meant to. I still had Harry's map, so when we checked to make sure there were no professors nearby, we saw the pair of you surrounded by Malfoy and his goons. Didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what was happening. I knew I'd never be able to take Malfoy on by myself." Ron stopped and, looking a little sheepish, withdrew a coin from his pocket. Hermione gaped at it, recognition lighting up in her eyes. "Couldn't quite remember the spell you used on these things last year to call us all together, so I made up my own version."
Hermione's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "You…?" she managed to squeak out. "Did a spell to call together the DA?"
"Well," Ron said defensively. "I had to do something, didn't I? Besides, I'm not completely useless, you know." Ron's eyes turned to the ground. "I wasn't about to let Malfoy beat the stuffing out of Harry."
There was a long moment of silence while Ron studied the floor and Harry studied the ceiling. Hermione cleared her throat. "Well-" she finally said, standing up nervously. "I just remembered… I left my Transfiguration book in the lavatories… be right back…"
"Be careful," Harry mumbled. "Malfoy's still unaccounted for."
Hermione nodded and hurried off. Without her presence, the tension in the room was palpable. Harry glanced at Ron, surprised when their eyes met.
"Well…" Ron mumbled. "That was… a right stupid situation for you and Hermione to get yourselves into…"
"Yeah," Harry said weakly.
There was a long beat of silence, broken only by several loud throat clearings by Ron.
Harry summoned up his courage, knowing he had to say something, even if he wasn't quite sure what that was. "Ron, look the thing is…" he began at the same time that Ron said, "Harry, I just want you to know…"
They both stopped and looked at each other, smiling apologetically. "You know what?" Harry said, shrugging. "Forget it. It doesn't matter."
"Harry, maybe we should…"
"Forget it," Harry said. "Everything's fine, okay?"
Ron studied him for a moment. "Yeah, okay," he said. There was another moment of awkward silence before Ron grinned. "You know, you should have seen Trewlaney this morning. `I knew horrid trouble would befall this boy-AGAIN-exams create such tension… saw it in my crystal ball thingie…'"
Harry snickered. "Yeah? Did she really?"
"Yeah," Ron said happily. "Then McGonagall got all offended by it. `Honestly, Sybill, no need bringing exams up to try and scare the students, they're already nervous enough as it is…'"
"Bet you Snape was awfully delighted by the whole thing."
"Oh, well, he still claims that Malfoy's innocent." Ron scowled deeply. "Everyone knows he did it, Harry. Don't know what Snape's trying to prove."
"We got off easy," Harry said. "Maybe if Malfoy had killed me or something, Snape would change his mind."
"Yeah, or maybe he's just a git," Ron said.
Hermione came back into the hospital wing, several large books in her arms. Harry and Ron exchanged a look and resisted the urge to burst into laughter.
"Honestly!" she huffed, seeing the look on their faces. "Exams are only-"
"-days away," Ron finished, with a grimace. "Yeah, about that... I gotta go..."
Hermione's eyes settled on Ron, narrowing into a frightening glare. "Go where?"
"Well, the thing is," Ron said, grinning. "Since we're not going out, you don't have any power over me. Have fun, Harry. I'll catch you two later."
With that, Ron bolted, leaving Hermione seething.
"And just what do you think you're smirking at?" she demanded, catching the look on Harry's face.
"Err... nothing," Harry said, trying to hide his grin. "Nothing."
***
"Mr. Potter, if I could have a word once you've finished your examination, please."
Harry started, glancing up from his Transfiguration's exam. Professor McGonagall was staring fixedly at her desk, making Harry wonder whether or not he had really heard her speak. Everywhere around him students were beginning to twitch as the clock slowly round down. Five minutes left of their final examinations. Nearly everyone had given up any pretense of completing their written exam and were staring open-mouthed at the clock, eagerly tracking the time with their eyes.
In front of him, a quill was barely recognizable as it flew across Hermione's parchment. She paid no head to the winding down of the clock in her desperation to fit in as much as she possibly could.
Harry concentrated on his own exam, intent on completing it as best as he possibly could. He was surprised by the relative ease in which he was able to take most of his final exams. Benefits, he decided, of being the boyfriend of the smartest witch in school.
That thought firmly in his mind, Harry set down his quill, realizing that completing his test was a futile measure. To everyone else, the end of exams meant freedom. To him, it meant something that he had been doing his best not to think about.
Like every summer, he had to go back to the Dursley's. Even though he was going to be of legal age in a couple of months, Dumbledore had made it clear that the safest place for Harry was the Dursley's residence. In previous years, the thought of such a long separation from Ron and Hermione had been terrible. Now it was unbearable.
"Alright."
The class immediately snapped to attention, eyes riveted to McGonagall. She was standing behind her desk, an amused expression on her face. Hermione let out an unintelligible squeak and started writing faster.
"Your examinations are over. Please leave your exam on my desk as you leave." There was an instant flurry of movement as students fought each other to get to the front of the classroom. "And have a good summer," McGonagall said as students piled out the door.
Hermione finally finished scribbling and she stood slowly, walking with Harry to the front of the room. "Well…" she said breathlessly. "That went well. Do you think that went well? I'm not sure if I wrote nearly enough for question 15, but that was only because 13 required in-depth explanation. How did you do, Harry? I know we reviewed everything on there, but number 8 didn't give you too much trouble, did it? I know you've struggled a little in-"
"Breathe, Hermione," he said, smiling. "I'm sure I-"
"Did an excellent job," McGonagall interrupted coolly. "If your other exams are any indication."
Both Harry and Hermione stared. "I'm sorry?" Harry managed, still gaping.
The corners of McGonagall's mouth curved slightly. "Your exams, Potter, have been, quite frankly, outstanding this year. I daresay, if it wasn't for Divination, you'd have the second highest score in your year."
"I, uh…" Harry trailed off, blushing profusely. "Thank you, Professor."
"You're welcome, Potter," she said crisply. She nodded her head in the direction of the door. "Have a good summer."
Hermione couldn't contain herself. "Who has the highest score, Professor?" she blurted out, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet.
"That, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "Should be quite obvious."
Hermione opened her mouth to continue her line of thought, but Harry took her hand and tugged her out of the room. "Goodbye, Professor," he called over his shoulder.
They no sooner left the room when Ron bounded up to them. "Exams are over, exams are over," he sang in a horribly nasally voice. "No more school, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks-"
"Honestly, Ron!"
"No more school, no more books, no more-"
"Ron!"
"-teachers' dirty-"
"Set an example, will you?"
"-looks."
"Well, then," Harry said brightly, effectively cutting off what looked to be a long drawn-out fight. "Let's see what's for lunch?"
Ron nodded appreciatively. "I've always liked the way you thought, Harry."
"Ooh," Hermione said, suddenly looking cheery. "Let's go for a picnic!"
The boys shared uncertain looks. "A… picnic?" Ron said, looking as though a picnic was the last thing he wanted to have.
Hermione started walking briskly, excitement in her voice. "I'm sure that Dobby would be more than willing to pack us some food. And it's such a nice day out, isn't it? Seems only fair that we do something to mark the end of our sixth-year."
"Yeah…" Ron said as he and Harry hurried to catch up with her. "But a picnic? Isn't that… I dunno, kind of girly?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "It certainly is not."
Ron looked at Harry pleadingly. "It's just that… as far as celebrations go… what d'you think, Harry?"
Harry glanced at Hermione's face, which was looking hopefully at him. "I think a picnic sounds great," he lied.
Hermione beamed. "Oh, we should go all out, don't you think? I can transfigure a blanket to sit on, but I think we should ask Dobby for several courses…"
Ron and Harry followed behind her at a much more subdued pace. Ron shot Harry an accusatory look. "Just `cause she's your girlfriend doesn't mean you always have to take her side."
"C'mon, Ron," Harry said, a little bit of strain in his voice. The last thing he wanted to do was be present for another one of Ron's jealous fits. "Can't you just do this one little thing for her? It won't kill you."
Ron scowled. "I dunno. I might die from boredom. A… picnic!"
***
"A picnic!" Ron said loudly, leaning back and patting his stomach. "Was a brilliant idea."
Hermione didn't look inclined to agree. She was glaring at a trail of ants that were winding their way up towards their food basket. She shuddered. "This is so… unsanitary… spiders! In our food!"
Ron yelped. "Where?"
Harry merely grinned, enjoying himself immensely. The day was warm, but without the over-powering humidity that accompanied summer. Everywhere students were joyfully running through Hogwarts' grounds, celebrating the end to exams. Though he would soon be taking the Hogwarts' Express back to the Little Whinging, the Dursleys could not have seemed further away.
Hermione zapped at a few of the ants with her wand, frowning deeply when nothing occurred. Ron glared at her accusingly. "Hermione," he said, sounding disappointed. "What about those poor ant rights? You could be destroying entire families, you know. Anymore of this and I'm going to have to create SPAW."
Hermione didn't even look up. "Spider," she said calmly. "Crawling on your leg."
Ron let out a hoarse yell, jumping a foot in the air and slapping ineffectively at his leg. "Did I get it?" he asked Harry frantically. "Where is it? Did I get it? Is it still there?"
Hermione was valiantly trying to cover up a smirk. "Other leg, Ron."
Ron started hitting his other leg and Harry shot Hermione an accusatory look.
"Hermione," he said quietly. "There aren't any spiders anywhere near Ron."
Hermione shrugged delicately. "He was poking fun at S.P.E.W."
Harry nodded, silently resolving to never make fun of S.P.E.W. in front of Hermione again.
When Ron was satisfied he'd killed the spider, he eagerly started rummaging through the picnic basket again. "Anymore apple pie left?"
"Ron, you've already had three helpings of pie," Hermione said shortly. "Honestly, it's a wonder you're not four hundred pounds."
"I'm lucky," Ron said, proudly coming up with another slice of pie. "Weasley metabolism."
"Uh huh," Hermione said, sounding unconvinced.
"I'm sorry," Ron said, between mouthfuls. He swallowed deeply. "Did you want some?"
Hermione looked disgusted. "No thanks," she said weakly. "You go ahead."
"Dend ob anoter `ear," Ron said with his mouth open.
"Ron!" Hermione snapped. "Have many times do I have to tell you, do not speak to me with your mouth open! Honestly, you don't see Harry talking while he's eating, do you?"
Ron sent Harry a murderous glare, and Harry looked guiltily away. "Course not," Ron said irritably. "No, Harry would never dare and talk while he was eating…"
"What is it you were trying to say before, Ron?" Harry asked quickly, hoping to distract him.
"Well…" he said thoughtfully. "It's just that… it's the end of another year, you
know."
"We only have one more left," Hermione said quietly, as if the full implications were just beginning to hit her. "We have N.E.W.T.'s next year, you know…"
Ron put a hand on his stomach. "I feel sick."
"That's a surprise," Hermione muttered.
"Well, hey!" Harry cut in cheerfully. "I'm still alive, so that's good, right?" Hermione and Ron both turned around to look at him, horrified. Harry steadfastly looked away. "Well," he said defensively. "It sounded funny in my head."
Hermione looked upset. "You shouldn't say such things."
Harry sighed. "I'm sorry, Hermione. Stupid thing to joke about, I know."
Ron looked eager to change the subject. "Hey, Harry?" Ron asked. "Do you have to go back and live with the Muggles again this year?"
"Yeah," Harry said, feeling his earlier depression sinking down upon him. Hermione sent him a sympathetic look.
"It'll go quickly, Harry," she said, not looking at all convinced.
Harry couldn't quite meet her eyes when he nodded, the reality that it could be months before he saw her again caused his stomach to plummet.
"Hey, Harry…" Ron said slowly, as if just realizing something. "You're turning seventeen this year."
"Yeah, so?"
"Well," Ron said excitedly. "That means-"
"You'll be legal to do magic!" Hermione finished, her eyes lighting up.
Harry glanced back and forth between them, a smile beginning on his mouth. "Yeah…" he said, finding himself somewhat cheered up by the prospect. "That's true…"
"Oh, wow," Ron said, rubbing his hands together. "Wish I could be there to see their faces…"
Harry found himself grinning broadly. "Yeah," he said dreamily. "Be nice, won't it?"
Hermione was making a valiant effort at trying to appear stern. "Now, Harry," she said breathlessly. "You won't do anything, well… just be careful…"
Harry merely nodded, too excited about the prospect of being able to do magic in front of the Dursleys to feel any annoyance at Hermione's nagging. "So how early to you s'pose Dumbledore's going to let me get out?"
"Dunno," Ron said, forehead creasing as he thought. "Wish you didn't have to go back there this year."
"Well, Harry…" Hermione said tentatively. "I mean, I know they're horrible people and everything, but you are safest there, right?"
"Didn't help me much when I was attacked by Dementors, Hermione," Harry responded irritably. "Did it?"
"Well-no," Hermione said after a moment. "But it's just…"
"Just what?" he snapped. "I'm going to be seventeen! I've tolerated the Dursleys for my whole life and I'm bloody well tired of it!"
Ron's head was snapping back and forth between them like he was watching a very fast-moving ping pong match.
Hermione sucked in a breath, her cheeks beginning to flush. "I know," she said firmly. "But it's the only place besides Hogwarts that you're safe from Voldemort, right?"
"Yeah," Harry said crossly. "So what?"
"So!" Hermione said, waving her arms around. "You'll be safest there! That's all that matters!"
"Yeah, and you won't be!"
There was a long beat of silence.
"I mean," Harry said, looking away from her and swallowing. "You two… you'll both be in danger… it's not fair that I'm the only one that gets protected…"
Hermione visibly deflated. "Oh," she said quietly. "I see."
They eyed each other for a moment, as Ron's head continued to snap back and forth between them.
"I can't go a whole summer without seeing you… both," Harry quickly added, catching Ron's eye and flushing.
Hermione merely nodded, looking exhausted. "Oh, I wish that I could…" she paused before saying in a small voice, "Well, I don't want to leave you either."
Ron coughed.
"You both," Hermione added on quickly. "I don't want to leave either of you."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Don't worry," he muttered. "I'm not jealous. Carry on. It's fine. Oh, no. I'm not needed. Not unless you're too busy snogging and get attacked by Draco Sodding Malfoy, because then! Oh, then! Then it's fine if I come to the rescue… then I'm important…"
"Spider," Hermione said calmly.
Ron stopped abruptly, mouth falling open. Quickly he closed it, scowling deeply. "C'mon, Hermione. I'm not that stupid. I'm not falling for that again."
"Fall for what?" Hermione said innocently.
Ron's eyes narrowed, but Harry noticed that he gave his surroundings a suspicious look. Apparently satisfied that Hermione was really having him on, Ron turned back to Harry. "So, mate," he began seriously. "What do you think of the Canons' chances this season?"
Harry stared. "I'm sorry?"
"The Chudley Canons," Ron said slowly, rolling his eyes. "Quidditch team. You might have heard of it."
"Well-yeah," Harry said hurriedly, fighting off surprise. "I mean, of course."
"So, what d'you think?" Ron asked, leaning forward in interest. "D'you think they might have a shot this year? Don't know if you've seen their Keeper yet, he's ruddy good…"
"Caville, right?" Harry asked.
Ron nodded. "Yeah, they're saying he could carry them right to the finals."
"Dunno, Ron. Their Chasers aren't-"
Harry broke off abruptly at the sound of a loud sob. Both he and Ron slowly turned around, eyes widening at Hermione. She was staring at the ground, a fist stuffed in her mouth to keep down the noise of her tears. The two boys exchanged befuddled looks.
"Err, Hermione," Ron said. "What's gotten into you?"
Harry shot Ron a look. "Hermione," he said gently. "What's wrong? Are you… alright?"
Before either of them could say anything else, Hermione had flung her arms around both their necks and broke down in earnest. "I just…" she sobbed, continuing to cling to both of them. "Really, really love the pair of you! And you can both be so stupid!"
Without another word, Hermione gathered herself together and took off for the castle, leaving Harry and Ron staring open-mouthed after her.
"Well…" Ron finally managed. "That was…"
"Yeah…" Harry said, dazed. "D'you reckon she's alright?"
"A little soft in the head, maybe," Ron said, after thinking it over. "No idea what she was going on about, do you?"
Harry blinked at him for a moment. "No," he finally lied.
Ron looked a little suspicious, but didn't press the issue farther. "Well…" he said, gesturing to the castle. "Should we follow her?"
"Yeah," Harry said, beginning to gather up their lunch remains. "Hey, Ron?"
Ron froze, bent down to pick up the picnic basket. "Yeah?"
"Are we…" Harry cleared his throat. "I mean to say, are things… are you…"
Ron raised his eyebrows, clearly amused. He picked up the food, clearly enjoying watching Harry shift uncomfortably. "Something you wanted to say, mate?"
"Err… I was just… I wanted to make sure that we were…" Harry paused, feeling more stupid by the moment. "That you weren't still jealous," he blurted, before wincing slightly.
Instead of the burst of anger that Harry had anticipated, Ron just shrugged. "Yeah, I'm a little jealous. I'm human. What d'you expect me to do about it?"
"Well…" Harry said slowly, as they made their way back up to the castle. "Have you tried not being jealous?"
"It's not that easy," Ron said, looking thoughtful. "I know I'm important to you and Hermione both. But that doesn't mean… what the pair of you have… it's stronger than what you have with me."
"That's not-"
"Okay, but it's different. Things aren't what they used to be, Harry." Ron stared ahead for a moment. "Doesn't mean things are bad, just different. I'm dealing with it."
Harry nodded, surprised by Ron's calm acceptance. "You've thought a lot about this."
Ron snorted. "I've had a long time to think about it." His voice quieted. "I can't help but feel left out, or like you two aren't leaving me behind in some way."
Harry stared at the ground, not knowing what to say. Ron shuffled along next to him, apparently just as uncomfortable.
Finally, Ron cleared his throat. "So… those Canons…"
"Yeah…" Harry said, feeling intensely relieved. "I reckon they have a good shot this year."
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