Lonely Road

Author Note: Sorry this has taken me so long. I didn't want to write over winter break plus I've been having total writers block with this fic. The sad thing is that even with all this time, I still didn't accomplish what I wanted in this chapter. I fully intended to have his first lesson with Dumbledore but I have no idea how to approach it. And I really don't know how other authors can just make up spells that sound real to the HP universe. Leave it to incantations to kill my creativity. But I couldn't go any longer without updating and getting some feedback on this so here you go. And one more thing. Sorry if this fic is starting to look like a script with all the dialogue; I'm really no good at narrative paragraphs.

A sleep deprived Hermione made her way into the Great Hall the following morning. On her way she passed by her roommates, Lavender and Parvati.

“Hermione, why were you in so late last night?” Parvati asked. “You look horrible! You look like you didn't sleep a wink last night.”

“She was probably off having a good snog with Ron” Lavender added which threw the two into a fit of giggles.

“Thanks for the observation and no, I was not off snogging Ron last night. I fell asleep doing some late studying in the common room. Now leave me alone!” Hermione reprimanded as she pushed past them and towards her boyfriend who was seated a few meters away. “G'morning” she greeted him as she took a seat next to him.

“Morning” Ron responded with an unusual blankness. Hermione chose not to question his mood until ten minutes had passed them by without a single word being exchanged.

“Ron, what's the matter?” Hermione asked dropping her fork.

“What do you think is the matter?” Ron snapped back. “You completely ignored me last evening so you could look for Harry! How am I supposed to feel?”

“I was worried about him! I thought you were too but I'm apparently the only one doing anything about it!”

“Don't be thick. Of course I'm worried about him but not to the extent that I would blow you off! I mean Harry's Harry. There's always something to worry about when it comes to him. I doubt it's something to lose sleep over like you obviously did.” Hermione took a second to absorb his opinion before relenting.

“I'm sorry, okay? But I can't help but worry about him sometimes, I mean he is our best friend after all…and he barely even talks to us anymore.”

“We talk to him everyday!”

“Oh please, about what? Smalltalk about classes and that's it. We don't all communicate like we used to. Like a trio.”

“I miss the way were too but things are pretty different now” Ron stated taking a hold of her hand. “It's not like we can share everything like we used to.”

“That's the thing that's bothering me, Ron. Our relationship has pushed Harry away. He feels like we don't need him anymore and he needs us more than ever this year after the loss of Sirius.”

“Pushing him away? We've done nothing but reach out to him since we've noticed his problem. We can't force our help to someone who doesn't want it. Besides, Harry isn't the eleven year old boy you first met. He can take care of himself and if he really does need our help, he knows we're always here for him, even if he's not showing it right now. He'll come around Hermione. I promise.”

“I really do hope so” Hermione ended then fell into the arms of her boyfriend who gave her a comforting squeeze. Hermione managed a smile being held by her redhead. He really is the sweetest guy she thought to herself. They broke apart a short while later after Ron noticed who had just entered the Great Hall.

“Well speak of our man. Here comes Harry” Ron informed his girlfriend. Hermione turned to see Harry approach but her smile quickly faded when she saw him. At his side yet again was Ginny whom he seemed to be having an animated conversation with.

“Morning Ron. Hermione” Harry greeted. “I'm just gonna grab some toast to go since breakfast is almost over. I'll see you two in class?”

“Oh, you're right! I suppose I'll do the same” Ginny added.

“Alright, I'll walk you to class then” Harry offered his younger companion. The two then grabbed a piece of toast and started out of the Great Hall. “Later” Harry called back to his best friends whom were still seated.

“Later Harry” Ron replied. “Well that's the most normal I've seen him all year” Ron said a bit surprised, turning to Hermione. “I told you not to worry! He's looking better already isn't he?”

“Yes, I suppose he is” Hermione replied with Ron's earlier lack of emotion. “And he and your sister seem to have gotten closer.”

“How do you mean?”

“Well last night when I finally found him, they were flying alone together at the Pitch. By the look on Harry's face, he was enjoying their bit of quality time. And now today he's walking her to class…” The last part Hermione uttered a bit under her breath, but Ron was still able to hear it.

“Really now” Ron began, a smirk spreading across his face, “Do you think Harry is finally starting to warm up to my sister?”

“It would seem so.”

“Well I'd say it's about time. She's liked him for ages! Finally I might be able to relax a little when it comes to my sister's love life. I was ready to explode if I saw her with one more bloke like that Corner fellow.”

“Yeah…well we'd better head to Transfiguration now. Professor McGonagall won't let us turn in our essay if we're late.” The couple, though hand-in-hand, silently made their way to their first class of the day. Upon entering the classroom, people were already taking their essays out, everyone obviously nervous about their individual results. Harry walked in with his paper in hand, not wanting to waste any time. As soon as he took his usual seat next to Hermione, the class began. There weren't many words to be spoken between the trio because Professor McGonagall decided to have a pure lecturing period, which ended after four parchments worth of notes and the beginning of their next class, History of Magic with Professor Binns. Seeing as Binns classes were always lectures, everyone's hands were ready to fall off from all the notes by the time lunch had finally arrived.

“Hermione, I can't pick up my fork!” Ron gasped in horror. “My arms too used to the weight of a quill! I can't handle anything else after all that writing!”

“Oh Ron, quit exaggerating!” Hermione responded. “These notes will be loads of help when it comes to your studies. You won't have to borrow MINE for once. Besides, a few notes never hurt anyone.”

“A few?!”

“I wouldn't call it a wild exaggeration like most of Ron's complaints” Harry cut in. “You've got to admit Hermione, two straight periods of nothing but note taking is a bit ridiculous on the arm” he claimed massaging his elbow.

“Maybe. But maybe you wouldn't be sore at all if you were used to taking notes like I am. I feel fine.”

“I may never understand you, love” Ron simply replied. Hermione later cast, after much whining from Ron, a healing charm on both of her boy's arms so they could eat lunch, pain-free. A few minutes had passed into their meal when Harry had a thought.

“I wonder where Gin is.”

“You would now wouldn't you!” Ron remarked with a grin plastered on his face.

“What're you getting at, Ron?”

“Nothing…just that you and my sister seem to have gotten closer lately.”

“I guess that's true. It's nice to have someone to talk to.”

“And what's THAT supposed to mean?!” Hermione interjected.

“I mean…”

“I know what you meant! But what, am I not here to talk to?!”

“I've already told you Hermione, I don't want to…”

“Burden me, right. I remember and like I told you Harry…”

“So do you fancy her then?” Ron interrupted out of nowhere, apparently not listening to the quarrel taking place before him. Harry blushed a deep crimson before he was able to respond.

“Of…of course not! She's your girlfriend!” Harry awkwardly answered.

“What? No you git! I meant Ginny.” This caused Harry's blush to deepen.

“We're just friends, Ron”

“Yeah, so were me and Hermione here.” Ron then snaked his arms around his girlfriend's waist from behind and gave her a peck on the cheek, successfully making both his friends feel very uncomfortable.

“Right…I'm gonna head to Charms early. I'll see you two there.” Harry waved a hand goodbye then left the Great Hall, head hanging.

“RON!” Hermione shouted. “You can be so THICK sometimes!” She then got up from her seat and stormed out of the Great Hall, leaving a confused Ron once again.

“What did I do?”

Luckily for the Gryffindor's, Professor Flitwick decided on a practical lesson for the day. The lesson also allowed them the freedom of fresh air. The Charms Professor led his class out of the castle and to the lakefront where they were to work on a charm that would allow them to walk on water. Incantations were being shouted all over the place, being followed shortly by the sound of splashing water when the effects would disappear sooner than desired. Though the water was much colder than the students would have liked, it was an enjoyable period; for those who knew the drying charm anyway.

Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way to the Great Hall for dinner right when class was dismissed. Harry then remembered his first lesson with Dumbledore was to be later in the evening, right after his meal.

“Hey, I think I'm going to skip out on dinner tonight” Harry stated.

“Harry” Hermione began, “You'll need the energy for your lesson later tonight.”

“I know which is why I'm going to take a quick nap right now. But I don't know how long the lesson will be so don't wait up for me. I'll see you two tomorrow.”

“Lesson?” Ron asked confused.

“Don't worry about it, Harry. I'll explain everything to him at dinner. Good luck then and be careful. We don't know how serious Dumbledore will get during your workouts.” Hermione then bid him goodnight and continued on her way with Ron.

Harry laid in his bed, deep in thought; the conversation from lunch replaying in his mind. Am I not here to talk to?! When he had first heard Hermione speak those words there was an immediate response in his head that said Of course Hermione is always there to talk to. We're best friends. However, thinking back on their friendship so far this year, he wasn't sure if he believed it anymore. The trio's top priority used to be each other. Equally. But everything had changed the moment Ron and Hermione had begun seeing one another. Their top priorities became solely each other. Hermione became Ron's best friend and he hers. Then there was Harry…just Harry, feeling as if he were treading down the familiar path of solitude once again. He was back in his cupboard.

So do you fancy her then? The direct approach was the only approach when it came to Ron Weasley's methods of interrogation. Harry couldn't have been more embarrassed by the inquiry, especially after misinterpreting it in the first place. He never much liked discussing any of his feelings really, much less the ones for any girls he might like. Besides, it was Ginny. She had certainly matured since their first meeting all those years ago and yes, Ron would probably love the idea of knowing his sister was safe with his best mate but the desire…it just wasn't there on his half. He loved Ginny and he loved to spend time with her, especially these days with the absence of Ron and Hermione, but there was a void she simply could not fill for him. He missed Hermione and resented Ron for taking her away. Sometimes Harry just... wished it was me? The Boy Who Lived just had an epiphany. I fancy Hermione? No, that's ridiculous. But I just said I wish it was me with her. No, no, no, this is wrong. I can't let this happen. She's Ron's! This would certainly explain the way I've been acting about them being together. No, I can't let myself feel this way, it's wrong. Hermione is safest with Ron anyway. Ron has a future...No longer wishing to continue his inner-debate, Harry rose from his bed and began to make his way to Dumbledore's office. Those were dangerous thought best to avoid.