Chapter 29
Notes:
Thanks to a comment from reader Mystearical, who pointed out a logical error in chapter 12, I have slightly rewritten the text of that chapter. This adds something important to the plot, which I intend to use later to explain the rules of the magical world outside of Hogwarts. Please reread the beginning of chapter 12 to be aware of these changes.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Absently scratching his unwashed neck and yawning widely, Ron stumbled into the Great Hall along with a crowd of equally sleepy, sullen students from the morning and immediately headed to the nearest free seat at the Gryffindor table to put as many sweet pancakes on his plate as possible. His empty stomach howled hungrily even louder than usual, demanding to be filled with something substantial immediately, since the last time Ron ate was… and when, actually, was that? He couldn't really remember, no matter how hard he tried…
From dinner on Saturday onwards, the rest of the weekend passed in a blur. He even thought he was sick, but he didn't feel like dragging himself up to the hospital wing, so he just went to bed early, waking up around midday on Sunday, and then heading back to bed soon after. It wasn't until Monday that the sleepy haze in his head began to clear, and Ron found the strength to lift his head from the pillow and walk down to the Great Hall.
By this point he was already ravenously hungry, and so he now mercilessly devoured the pancakes, stack after stack, with a purring sound, not forgetting to generously pour maple syrup over them and feeling how with each swallowed piece some of the lost energy returned to him. After fifteen minutes of such dense stuffing, he finally came to his senses to stop for a while and wash it all down with a large mug of hot tea.
Between sips, his gaze, as usual, darted around, searching for Harry or Hermione among those present, but neither of them was anywhere to be seen.
"They didn't come again?" Ron frowned, feeling vaguely annoyed and worried. Even though they had grown distant lately, he couldn't stop thinking about or missing his friends, especially Harry.
For some reason, he couldn't remember if he'd seen Harry in the dorm or the showers that morning… or the Gryffindor common room… or anywhere near him, for that matter. Most of the other students from their House were already there, including Seamus, Neville, and Dean, who were acting as usual, stuffing their faces with breakfast before class and not paying much attention to anything else around them. Ten minutes later they were finished and getting ready to leave, but Harry still hadn't shown up, and neither had Hermione, who at another time would have been urging him and Ron to hurry up or they would be late for class.
"Maybe Hermione is sick again? Or Harry is sick?"
To be honest, Ron didn't know what to think anymore. Harry had been acting very strange and withdrawn lately… well, even stranger and more withdrawn than usual, because he had always been different from their classmates in many ways, but until recently it had never bothered Ron. On the contrary, he liked that Harry was friends only with him and Hermione, and did not scatter his attention to others. Despite his fame as the Boy Who Lived, Harry did not strive to surround himself with a bunch of friends and fans, although Ron knew very well that many would be happy to be in such a circle. Sometimes he sincerely did not understand Harry's desire for solitude, but he respected it, especially since this way he could be sure that Harry would always put him first.
Ron was genuinely proud that he could call himself Harry Potter's first and best friend, and he was sure that Harry also considered their relationship something valuable and unique… or at least that was how it had been until recently.
Something has definitely changed lately. Ron might not have been the sharpest tool in the shed, especially compared to his more talented older brothers, but even he had noticed that something was wrong with Harry, that he was deliberately distancing himself from the others. It had happened so gradually, and was so similar to the usual bouts of melancholy that Harry sometimes had, that at first Ron hadn't even noticed the difference. The dark-haired boy had simply become even quieter than usual. More and more often he disappeared somewhere alone, and the rest of the time he looked thoughtful and distant, as if he was tormented by something that he did not want to tell anyone about. He became completely inattentive in class, barely reacted to Snape's sarcasm and Malfoy's barbs directed at him, and even in his free time it was difficult to get an extra word out of him that was not relevant.
However, the first real alarm bell for Ron was that Harry had stopped participating in discussions of Quidditch teams and strategies, as if he suddenly didn't care. He was so distracted and self-absorbed that he didn't react at all when Ron recently gave a vivid account of the Chudley Cannons' recent match, in which they had managed to thrash the Dartmoor Dragons to secure seventh place in the British Champions League. The episode had shocked Ron so much, so out of character, that for the first time he began to wonder if there might actually be something wrong with his friend.
Reflecting on Harry's behaviour over the last few weeks, Ron came to the conclusion that the starting point had clearly been some event in early December, when they had all been getting into trouble and constantly finding themselves either in the hospital wing or in the Headmaster's office.
"Is he so upset because we got punished because of that stupid potion?"
At the time, it was the only reasonable explanation that Ron could think of, although it seemed far-fetched. After the night of the ritual, he, Harry, and Hermione had indeed been punished, so every Thursday after classes they now had to go to McGonagall for detention. In principle, everything was not so bad. There they were simply forced to write lines for an hour in the style of "I will never break school rules and conduct dangerous rituals in abandoned rooms again"… To be honest, Ron partially agreed with this.
Secretly, he was against the whole idea from the very beginning, because, first of all, he wasn't sure at all that Hermione would be able to brew the potion correctly. After all, it was a level of N.E.W.T., which not every graduate can handle… However, he decided to participate anyway, so as not to look like a coward compared to Harry, who immediately agreed.
If anyone had asked Ron, he would have said that Hermione's idea was completely stupid. Just think about it! If this Heir of Slytherin was so powerful and fearsome that he could petrify a dead ghost, then how could you possibly save yourself from him with some shady old induction ritual? Like, even if Hermione had suddenly turned pureblood, how would the Heir have known about it to exclude her from his list of potential victims? And even if he had found out, wouldn't he have hated her even more for the fact that she, as a Muggle-blood, dared to change her status, and in such a dishonest way at that? Or what if the Heir didn't care about anyone's blood status at all?! After all, Nearly Headless Nick could have been a half-blood or even a pure-blood before he died, and then it would have turned out that the Heir simply attacks anyone who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time…
Ron didn't say any of this to his friends because he knew very well how useless it was to argue with Hermione when she was sure she was right. She would immediately come up with something in response and smash all the boy's arguments to smithereens with her own counterarguments, laughing at his "narrow outlook" along the way. As if you had to read a bunch of dusty books to know something! Sometimes a person just needs their own common sense not to stick their nose where it doesn't belong. Ron had a gut feeling that this ritual would do no good, and he was absolutely right – they were now punished until the spring exams!
And yet, did Harry take his side after that? Of course not! Instead, he chose to remain neutral as usual when Hermione once again started a petty squabble, picking on him and Ron over some school triviality…
All this was incredibly infuriating! Why did the girl always have to dominate in their trio?! Of course, Hermione was really smart, and her grades were higher than everyone else in the class, but that was exactly why she always behaved like an arrogant know-it-all! In this, she was exactly like Percy, if not worse! She constantly demanded that Ron and Harry study and prepare for exams in advance, even if they were months away. At the same time, she almost never allowed them to copy from her, which, in Ron's opinion, was the greatest injustice. If she wanted them to study as well as she did, she could at least give them a little help sometimes! Not everyone around her was such a bore with no personal life and no other interests besides school, like her!
If it weren't for Harry, who served as the center and main cement of their relationship, Ron wasn't sure he would have ever become friends with Hermione on his own initiative. However, he was willing to tolerate her company for Harry's sake, and also because Hermione was genuinely nice and pleasant sometimes, especially when she wasn't trying to lecture everyone around her every five minutes.
Over time, Ron even came to genuinely appreciate her presence and dry sense of humour, and after they all worked together to save the Philosopher's Stone from Quirrell and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, he truly came to respect Hermione. Even though she was a girl and an arrogant nerd, she was also incredibly brave and determined in ways that most people would have given up on. She went into mortal danger with Harry and Ron without hesitation or complaint, and what's more, she managed to get further on the obstacle course than Ron! She helped Harry through the last hurdle, and then came back to save Ron and get the teachers to help… No matter how you look at it, Hermione was really cool! And definitely a real Gryffindor!
After that incident, Ron began to look at his and Harry's friend differently, although he was still terribly annoyed by her manner of putting on airs for no reason. Hermione was really smart and well-read, a real walking library, and she could also be funny and cheerful if she wanted to. She couldn't stand Malfoy and the rest of the pureblood snob crowd and was never at a loss when it came to giving the idiots a caustic remark… Hermione was like "one of the boys", only in a skirt! And once Ron realized this, she immediately became half as annoying to him as the other girls he knew.
He was just afraid that at some point, because of her coolness, she would start to steal the show in their friendship with Harry… And it seemed that was exactly what was happening now! Ron was terribly upset by this, because he couldn't really understand the reason for such a sudden change. It couldn't really be because of that ritual?!
Well… Okay. So, Harry and Hermione were now some kind of magical relatives or something. So what? Ron had five brothers and a younger sister, too, but that didn't mean he'd neglect his friendship with Harry for them! And he certainly wouldn't cut himself off from Harry to spend time with Ginny, or keep secrets from Harry…
"If Harry or Hermione have any problems, why don't they tell me anything? Or am I too insignificant a person to trust me with their secrets now?!"
Ron couldn't help but feel insulted and abandoned by this attitude, and therefore felt he had every right to be offended by both of his friends at once. If Harry could sulk and ignore him for weeks, then Ron would find better company, too!
"Or maybe Harry just getting too big for his boots! After all, he is the Boy Who Lived, and I…" Such thoughts made Ron's face flush with anger and embarrassment. All the unflattering words he had heard from idiots like Malfoy immediately came to mind: "blood traitor", "mediocre wizard", "beggar"…
Harry and he were just in different weight classes! Harry had fame, the status of a national hero, and a pile of gold in the family safe to boot! He was also a talented and powerful wizard – anyone who had ever seen him cast a spell in DADA or Charms would immediately notice this. In order to perform powerful magic, he did not need to make a huge effort, like Ron with his broken wand inherited from Charlie, or to memorize the correct pronunciation by heart, like Hermione. Harry simply said the necessary spell and made a casual pass – and everything happened as if by itself! At the same time, he seemed not to even notice how easy it all came to him compared to the rest of his classmates…
Of course, Ron was terribly jealous, although he tried to hide it as best he could. He knew it was bad, and that Harry was hardly really trying to show off, but he still couldn't stop feeling angry and jealous when Harry outsmarted him in literally everything.
If Harry had wanted to, he could probably have gotten top marks in almost every class and left Ron behind long ago… Luckily, he wasn't a numbers junkie like Hermione. Instead, he preferred to be lazy and get scolded by Hermione, just like Ron did. This left the boys with less than stellar grades, but in this way all three friends managed to maintain a fragile balance between themselves that allowed their friendship to live and develop… until something happened.
Until Harry started whispering to Hermione in private after classes and in the hospital wing. Until the two of them started having secrets that they clearly weren't going to share with Ron…
"Hey, Ron, you coming?" Seamus looked at him questioningly, standing next to Dean. Both had finished eating and were now getting ready to go to Transfiguration together, which was their first lesson today.
"Yeah, I'll be right there!" Ron quickly stuffed the rest of the pancakes into his mouth and rushed after them towards the exit, finishing chewing as he went.
If Harry or Hermione had managed to get into trouble again and hurt themselves, he would probably hear about it later from someone… He refused to drop everything and run to the hospital wing like an obedient little dog just to see if they were there or not! It wasn't usually very subtle, but Ron Weasley had pride too! If his so-called "friends" suddenly wanted to hang out with him and tell him everything, they'd damn well know where to find him!
Repeating this to himself to calm his involuntary anxiety, Ron tightened his grip on the strap of his school bag and continued to stubbornly walk to class.
He was going to have a productive day today and he was definitely not going to worry about Harry or Hermione, who didn't give a damn about him.
* * *
Lunch and dinner went much the same way as breakfast. Apart from Ron, the other two parts of the "golden trio" were still missing, and some students were beginning to notice. It became even more noticeable the next day, when Harry and Hermione failed to show up again.
"Potter in trouble again?" Percy was one of the first to attack Ron with this question early Tuesday morning.
"How should I know?" the younger boy muttered grumpily, trying to hide the anxiety behind his irritation, which was making him unable to stop staring at the staff table. For some reason, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and Pomfrey were also absent from the table today, which clearly could not be a good sign.
"Watch your tongue, Ronald! As a prefect, I need to know if any of the students…"
Percy's rant was interrupted by a loud rustling of feathers as dozens of post owls flew through the windows of the Great Hall and began circling the ceiling, looking for their addressees. Many of them were carrying the latest editions of "The Daily Prophet", which they then plopped down into the students' plates, ignoring the students' grumbling and squealing.
"Ugh, you bloody bird! Shoo! Go away!" Ron waved his arms at the grey, bug-eyed eagle-owl, which had managed to drop his newspaper right into the bowl of soup and splash everything around.
In response, the eagle-owl hooted loudly and hit the boy on the back of the head with its wing, and then quickly flew away when an enraged Ron began throwing buns at it.
"Shoo! Get out of here! You disgusting thing!.."
Still swearing quietly under his breath, Ron somehow fished the newspaper out of the soup and opened it to the first page. And was stunned.
"What the hell is this?!"
His gaze first fell on a slightly blurry and almost motionless photograph of Harry and Hermione in their school robes in front of Hogwarts, taken from a great distance away at the very beginning of the school year, judging by the fact that there was no snow in sight and some of the trees were still covered in withered leaves.
The photo was followed by a caption that made Ron's jaw drop comically and his eyeballs bulge even more.
~ * ~ * ~
THE DAILY PROPHET
SPECIAL EDITION !
~ * ~ * ~
HARRY POTTER: YOUNG HERO OR YOUNG HEARTBREAKER?
NEW TRENDS AT HOGWARTS
By: Rita Skeeter
Ah, Hogwarts! A place where every corner breathes magic, where wise teachers guide young talents, and where, we thought, traditions always remained unchanged. But times are changing, dear readers, and it seems that our beloved Hogwarts is changing along with them.
A recent event at the school has become the talk of the town – twelve-year-old Harry Potter, the famous Boy Who Lived and currently a second-year student in Gryffindor House, was spotted walking with thirteen-year-old Hermione Granger, a Muggle-born student in the same year, and rumours suggest their meeting was rather personal. What's so unusual about this, you might ask? Of course, young hearts are sometimes prone to such infatuations, but questions arise: is it not too early, and does this not indicate that new, not always beneficial, trends are starting to seep into the school?
Some senior students, who wished to remain anonymous, have already expressed their concerns. One of them noted: "Hogwarts has always been a place where we first and foremost learned magic, not how to arrange personal relationships. Now, it feels like something is changing, and not for the better." Another student adds: "It's strange to see such displays among those who should be focused on their studies. I mean, is it normal to skip classes just to go on a date? It seems that old traditions and morals no longer interest anyone."
But let's take a step back from this spicy topic and delve deeper into the subject of our hero's interest – Miss Hermione Granger , a girl undoubtedly smart and also quite ambitious, despite her low birth (both of Miss Granger's parents work as something akin to Muggle veterinarians). The top student in her year, favoured by almost all the teaching staff, this charming young lady seems to have a genuine love for books and cramming. But are her academic achievements truly as great as they seem?
Pansy Parkinson, daughter of one of the school's governors and also a second-year student, known for her insight and strength of character, expressed her doubts: "Sometimes it seems that Miss Granger's successes are exaggerated. I can't help but notice how often the teachers make allowances for her, as if they are trying to create the impression that all students are equal in abilities, even when they're not."
Her words were echoed by Draco Malfoy, heir to the ancient and noble Malfoy family, whose sharp mind and dedication to magical traditions have always earned respect. "I've seen Miss Granger being given hints in class many times," Mr. Malfoy remarked. "It makes you wonder, are her abilities really that impressive? Potter and his friends are often allowed to do things that are forbidden to others. For example, in their first year, he was allowed to play Quidditch, even though it was against the rules. He even gets away with fighting other students, simply because he's the Boy Who Lived! It seems that the teachers are trying to show that anyone can be successful, regardless of their background or upbringing. But is it fair to indulge bullies or break the rules to advance someone at the expense of others?"
As you can see, the overall atmosphere in the once-renowned educational institution is causing serious concern. Those of us who believe that the school's walls should remain a place where morality, discipline, and a strict commitment to learning reign supreme cannot ignore this story. Of course, every student has the right to their own interests and passions, but is there not a gradual shift towards losing the values that have always made Hogwarts unique and worthy of respect?
This all becomes even more troubling, as this is far from the first strange incident involving second-year students occurring at Hogwarts since the beginning of this academic year. Not long ago, Hogwarts drew public attention due to the mysterious attack on Hufflepuff student Jason Finchley*, which our regular readers may have learned about from previous issues of the newspaper. The case remains unresolved, raising the question of whether everything is as peaceful within Hogwarts' walls as its administration tries to show.
Returning to the young Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, one cannot help but wonder: what is the real reason behind such an unexpected union? Is it possible that behind these supposedly innocent meetings lies something more than just the friendship of two young hearts, but rather hidden political motives of unknown forces? Who knows what ambitions might be lurking behind such early attachments, and who is truly pulling the strings in this seemingly ordinary situation.
We must not overlook the fact that, that for a Muggle-born witch, a relationship with someone like Harry Potter might be more than just youthful affection. Perhaps Miss Granger, with the support of some more politically savvy individuals, sees this as an opportunity to rise to new heights in the magical community? After all, Harry is not only a hero of the wizarding world but also the heir to a substantial fortune and the future Lord of the Wizengamot. While we will refrain from making hasty conclusions, these rumours certainly make one ponder the motives of Harry Potter's new chosen one.
For now, we can only note that Hogwarts is clearly undergoing a period of change. The only question is where these changes will lead. Should we continue to introduce innovations that might shake the school's centuries-old foundations? Or perhaps we should take a closer look at what is happening and ask: has someone in the leadership lost control of the situation, and will this indulgence ultimately lead to innocent students being put at risk in the name of some vague notion of "progress"?
We can only hope that the esteemed Headmaster Dumbledore will be able to find the right balance between preserving traditions and embracing new trends, so that Hogwarts remains a place where true knowledge, morality, and loyalty to the magical heritage are paramount.
Chapter 30
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
"That's not true, is it? Harry isn't really dating Hermione? That's not true?!" Ginny's squeaky voice drilled into Ron's ears as he, still in shock, put the soaked newspaper back on the table.
"Uh…" He looked at his younger sister in confusion. Her eyes were glistening with tears, and whose face was so pale, as if she was about to faint.
"Wow! So Potter and Granger are really a couple? But I thought it was just a rumor..." One of the older students whistled.
"It's not just rumours! I've been telling you all for ages that they're seeing each other! I saw with my own eyes that Harry sent her flowers on Sunday!" Lavender declared.
"It's true! We all saw it!" Hermione's other roommates nodded in agreement.
After that, all four tables began to discuss the latest gossip with great enthusiasm, while Ron continued to sit in a daze, staring blankly at the photo of his friends... or his ex-friends? He honestly didn't know how to feel about them now... The headline of the article danced before his eyes, shimmering brightly with all the colors of the rainbow, as if mocking him.
"So… what does this mean? So they were… all this time…?! And I didn't even know! They didn't tell me anything!"
Anger, indignation and the sharp pain of betrayal boiled in Ron's veins like magma ready to burst out. He jumped up from the table, knocking over his cup of tea. Not listening to Ginny's screams and the surprised exclamations of the other Gryffindors rushing behind him, he tore himself up and ran away.
"Why?! Why the hell didn't they tell me?! Why did they hide this from me?!"
He flew forward, unable to see anything in front of him beyond the bloody veil of pure rage, towards Gryffindor Tower. Some voice inside him told him that this time he would find Harry and Hermione exactly there.
"Something happened, dear? You look a bit red…" The Fat Lady babbled, looking at his sweaty face with surprise.
"Vis in fide!"* Ron barked, rudely interrupting her, to which the drawn woman focused with displeasure, complaining about the lack of manner of the current generation, but still opened the passage to the living room.
He flew over the threshold and almost tripped on the carpet, but ignored it.
They were there, just like he thought. Alone. Sitting in their usual places, in the armchairs in front of the fire, as if nothing had happened. Whispering to each other about something. Smiling at each other! As if they weren't a couple of lying bastards, hanging out behind Ron's back all this time, like some kind of...!
"Ron?" Hermione was the first to notice him.
"What are you doing here?" Harry, too, kept his wary gaze on him, quickly realizing that his friend was not himself.
"What am I doing here?! What are you two doing here!"
"What…?"
"Oh, please! Don't start pretending now! The whole school already knows about you! Not even the school! The whole bloody country! That must have been so funny, huh? Doing it behind everyone's back! Behind my back! You two must have had a good laugh at that stupid Ron Weasley, huh?!"
"Ron, what are you…?" Hermione suddenly turned pale and now looked at him with eyes wide with horror.
"What is she so scared of? That I finally discovered her and Harry's lie?! "Nothing is happening" my foot! They both led me up the garden path and did it for weeks!.."
The girl rose from her seat, still looking at Ron warily, as if he were some kind of violent lunatic. Harry stood up too, and to the Weasleys' surprise, turned around so that he slightly blocked Hermione from Ron. Did he really think Ron would attack them?
"Ron, let's calm down and talk like civilized people, okay?" Hermione, as usual, tried to take a rational position to cool the situation, but at the moment it had the exact opposite effect. "What exactly are you...?"
"I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU TWO!" Ron yelled so loudly that the old plaster over the fireplace almost fell on their heads. "I KNOW YOU'RE DATING!"
"What?! But… how…?"
"YOU TWO ARE SO "GOOD" AT HIDING THAT YOU'RE ALREADY WRITTEN IN THE BLOODY PROPHET!" Ron spat angrily and threw his copy in their faces. Only then did he realize that he had still been clutching the newspaper in his fist.
Still seething like a hot kettle, he hurried over to the window to calm down a bit, and stood there with his arms crossed over his chest. He glanced sideways at Harry and Hermione, who were currently engrossed in reading the article. As their eyes slid down the lines, Harry's face grew redder and redder, while Hermione's grew paler.
"Oh, God..." the girl blurted out when she reached the paragraph in which Skeeter speculated about her motives, indirectly accusing her of trying to "steal" Harry Potter for her own benefit.
"Bastards!" Harry growled, clenching his fists, absolutely purple with anger. "How dare they?! That's a blatant lie!"
"A lie, you say?" Ron raised his eyebrows skeptically, not quite ready to buy it.
Still, there was a glimmer of hope in his mind that this might all just be a journalistic hoax, and that his friends weren't secretly planning on dumping him overboard to be together. At the same time, he couldn't even explain to himself why he thought that he would definitely be kicked out of their trio if Harry and Hermione started to have feelings for each other… Right now, he was just irrationally angry at them and wanted them to explain everything immediately.
"So you two aren't secretly dating?"
"We…"
"Yes or no?!"
As Weasley waited for an answer, he looked from Harry to Hermione and back again, while they exchanged similar glances, as if they were having a mental dialogue that only they could hear and understand. Ron watched this silent exchange with amazement, genuinely amazed that he had somehow managed to miss the moment when the relationship between his friends had changed so much.
"When did they become so close?"
Harry, meanwhile, had clearly made up his mind. Hermione still looked unsure as he took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and looked Ron straight in the eye before speaking in an even tone.
"Yes. That part of the article is true. Hermione and I are dating. But we didn't do it "behind everyone's back", Ron! We only recently realized how we feel!" In the end, he finally lost his temper and raised his voice again, to which the other boy immediately bristled in response.
"Oh, really?! "Recently"? Then what do you call that?!" Weasley pointed an accusing finger in the direction of Harry's shoulder, on top of which Hermione's hand was now lying in a calming gesture. The girl did this automatically, as soon as Harry began to get angry and shout again, and he immediately fell silent, with an obvious effort trying to pull himself together.
It looked so... married that Ron felt sick just looking at it! They behaved like a sort of textbook old pair, literally complementing each word and movement of each other. And they were trying to tell him now that they hadn't been secretly holding hands all this time?!
"Lies! One big fat lie! Who do they even take me for?! Do they think I'm such a fool to believe this?!"
"This…"
"We just started dating," Hermione took the initiative as soon as she realized that Harry was a little stuck and couldn't formulate it himself. "Last Sunday, if you want a specific date, Ron. Before that, Harry and I were just… we were friends. There was nothing romantic between us, but now…"
"It has changed," Harry finished firmly for her.
Under Ron's puzzled and distrustful gaze, the dark-haired boy took Hermione's hand in his and confidently, but at the same time with obvious affection and tenderness, squeezed her fingers, and then brought them to his mouth and... kissed her knuckles, which made the girl blush slightly.
And then he said something that almost made Ron's brain leave his skull:
"I recently realized that I love Hermione, so I told her that. And she said that she like me too. So we decided to date."
Ron had absolutely no idea what to say to that. Two of his friends had just told him that they were actually in love with each other. How was he supposed to react to that?! Frankly, he hoped until the very end that this was some kind of bad joke. Not that it was wrong… Lots of students dated, as far as he knew… But… It's just that it was not some random people! These were Harry and Hermione! People he never in a million years would have thought would end up in a relationship with each other!
"But then… why didn't you tell me anything at first?" He said more quietly after a long pause.
Exactly! If they were in love, why did they hide it from him? Aren't Harry and Ron best friends? Aren't best friends supposed to share such things with each other?
"Well, I'm sorry, Ron, we didn't set off fireworks and hang a banner over Hogwarts the second we realized what we were feeling!" Hermione couldn't take it anymore and finally exploded, tired of listening to the endless stream of accusations directed at her and Harry. "And of course, we should have informed you personally first!"
"That's not what I…"
"Then what did you mean?! You dare to yell at us and accuse us of all mortal sins, although you yourself immediately believed the nonsense that was written about us in some stupid tabloid!" She cast an angry and disgusted glance at The Daily Prophet, now sadly lying on the coffee table. "Thank you very much for your trust, Ronald! What a great friend indeed you are!"
Under such pressure, Ron instantly blown away and bashfully looked down, unable to deny that there was a grain of truth in Hermione's words. He really did not bother to think about it properly before hesitating and rushing here at full speed. He'd just felt so sad, and lonely, and betrayed by his friends, when he read the article, that he hadn't even thought to ask their side of the story first.
"But if you and Harry are telling the truth…" Ron muttered uncertainly after a few minutes, "then how the hell did that journalist find out about all this, and so soon?!"
"Now that's a very good question!"
* * *
Realizing that Hermione's anger and indignation had finally shifted from him to something else, Ron let out a small sigh of relief. Personally, he preferred dealing with an angry Harry, because Harry could never stay angry for long (at least not towards Ron). Hermione, on the other hand, if you really got to her nerves, could drive you nuts for hours…
Weasley glanced again at his friends, who had calmed down as much as he had and were now back in their chairs, both wearing the same frowning, worried expressions as they reread the damned article that had started all this.
Now that Ron's initial shock had passed and his emotions had settled, he suddenly felt rather idiotic. He was still a little sulky with Harry and Hermione out of inertia, but it was beginning to dawn on him that he had been wrong to demand that they be open about their new feelings for each other. If he himself had fallen in love with some girl, he would most likely have been too embarrassed to tell anyone about it. And even more so, he would never have dared to open his heart to the object of his feelings! He was too afraid of being rejected, and probably laughed at to boot...
However, it turns out that Harry somehow managed to beat him here too! He not only found the courage to confess his love to Hermione, but even received a reciprocal confession from her, and now Hermione will not just be his friend, but his beloved girlfried! It looks like they will now walk together after classes, and hold hands, and hug, and... kiss!
"Yuck!" Ron mentally grimaced as his imagination fed him an image of Harry and Hermione kissing. Seriously, that was so gross! He'd caught his mum and dad doing it once and god, it had been so awkward! All that smacking, sighing, drooling… Ew! He really hoped his friends wouldn't do that in public, especially in front of him.
And still, listening to himself now, Ron couldn't help but feel a little envious of Harry. It wasn't like he wanted to date anyone, much less Hermione, but... Still, no one in their year had a girlfriend yet! Even that damn Malfoy hadn't found anyone yet, even though he had a whole bunch of money and that pretty pomaded little face of his that just begged to be punched. Compared to him, Ron and Harry both always looked like disheveled slobs, and in Ron's case, also like penniless beggars. Not that Ron had ever really cared about it that way before... And yet, the fact that Harry had unwittingly managed to come out the "winner" in a race that none of them had ever even thought about before somehow bothered Ron.
"The Boy Who Lived. The youngest Seeker in Hogwarts history. And now the first guy in our year to have a girlfriend! How does Harry do it every time?!"
"That woman, Skeeter… Where did she manage to collect so many quotes for her scribble?" Hermione's thoughtful voice broke into Ron's thoughts a few minutes later. By this point, the girl had already managed to reread the article several times and come to some conclusions that she now wanted to share with the others.
"Huh?" Ron and Harry blinked in the same confusion, to which their friend rolled her eyes, as usual, irritated by their slowness.
"Look. Here, at the beginning, she quotes some "anonymous seniors". Although I think that in fact, she just made it all up. But then..."
"Malfoy and Parkinson!"
"Exactly. How did she manage to interview them? Unless they left the school, of course."
"Er... Couldn't she have come here herself?" Ron suggested.
"Probably, yes. But for that, she would most likely have to ask permission from Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall, and they…"
"…would definitely not let her in here!" Harry finished for her, worried and frowned even more. "So, she entered the school grounds illegally!"
"Most likely."
"But how?!"
The three of them had no answer to that question. It was well known that it was impossible to Apparate into Hogwarts from outside due to the ancient wards placed on the castle and surrounding areas. A Portkey was also out of the question for the same reason, unless it had been created by one of the professors. There were still, of course, fireplaces in the common rooms, but they were protected and closed at usual times. So either Skeeter had met the Slytherins somewhere on the street, or…
The distant ringing of the bell signalling the end of class made Ron jump in his seat and suddenly remember that today was Tuesday, which meant he had just missed Transfiguration, which they were supposed to have a test in, by the way! On top of that, he had forgotten his bag in the Great Hall.
"Shit! I'm dead!"
Mum's going to kill him! She's already promised to throw out all his Quidditch posters and his collection of Chocolate Frog cards if he manages to come home with "trolls" on his report card again!
Ron was halfway out of the common room when something clicked in his head and he turned back to Harry and Hermione.
"By the way… Why aren't you in class yet too?"
He squinted suspiciously when they both looked down and blushed in unison. Something was wrong, he could practically feel the tension in the air, but what exactly was it…
"Madam Pomfrey gave us leave to stay home today."
"What? Are you guys sick again?" Ron thought they looked fine, but you never know... A lot has happened at Hogwarts lately.
"Actually, yes," Hermione smiled wryly. "We both caught a cold while ice skating on Sunday." For some reason, she looked at Harry with slight reproach, to which the boy responded with an embarrassed laugh.
"Ice skating?"
"Muggle fun. Nevermind!" The girl waved it off casually. "Anyway, because of this, we had to miss classes yesterday and today too."
"Oh... Okay. So you were stuck in the hospital wing all day yesterday?"
"Yep."
Hermione's voice was even and she didn't look like she was lying at all, but the way she and Harry looked at each other every now and then and blushed again...
"Damn. I'm starting to sound paranoid."
"I see..." Ron said slowly. "Well, okay. Then I'll... er... be going, I guess? See you at dinner, guys?"
"Sure!"
Still feeling the strange, electric atmosphere around them, but unable to put his finger on the cause, Ron turned on his heel and left the common room, leaving his friends alone once more. He would have to hurry if he wanted to get his book bag and get to Charms class in time…
"So Harry's dating Hermione now... Big deal! It doesn't change anything! Harry and I are still best friends. And we can still be friends, all three of us..."
However, no matter how hard Ron tried to think positively, the whole way to the Great Hall he couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something again... something big, but at the same time floating on the surface... something that he hadn't thought of at all... something that was sure to bite them all in the ass in the future.
Chapter 31
Chapter Text
"God damn!"
As soon as the portrait hole closed behind Ron, Harry ran a hand through his tousled hair and swore loudly. His heart was still beating faster than usual, and his head was filled with a bunch of useless angry thoughts, as he replayed the lines that slandered Hermione over and over in his memory.
"Scumbags! How could they write something like that about her while they don't even know her?! They never even spoke to her! And that bloody bastard Malfoy! He must have been pissing himself with joy when he was throwing mud at Hermione!"
He was sure that this whole stupid article was Draco's revenge for Harry hitting him in public. The little wanker had been rightfully punched in the face for his dirty behavior and hadn't been able to bear the shame. Instead of learning a lesson from it, he had harbored a grudge and was now taking it out on Hermione, because the girl was a much more convenient and easier target than Harry himself.
"Cowardly prick! I should have beaten all the crap out of him, not just broken his damn nose!"
And then there's Skeeter... Seriously, how did she even know that Harry and Hermione were dating? Did some student see them hanging out and immediately blab to the press about it? Who even does that?!
And Ron! What the hell came over him?! He came running here and started yelling at them like some bloody Othello! Made a scene… Thank god, at least there were no witnesses! One scandal at a time, damn it…
Just an hour ago, Harry was seriously worried about the fact that, under the influence of the Lucky Potion, he asked Dobby to somehow "distract" Ron so that he would not accidentally interfere with his date with Hermione. As a result, the radical-thinking house-elf simply put the red-haired boy to sleep for the rest of the weekend, for which Harry did not stop blaming himself and was even going to ask Ron for forgiveness sometime in the future, when he could tell him everything... He thought so exactly until the moment when his best friend ran here to accuse him and Hermione, as if they were some kind of criminals!
If it hadn't been for Hermione's presence, Harry wasn't at all sure that this wouldn't have ended in another fight. Lately, he had a hard time restraining himself from physical violence, although he had never really noticed any tendency to throw punches left and right before. It's just that now when almost every other male classmate managed to irritate him with their stupidity and impudence, it somehow happened naturally…
Trying to calm the heavy throbbing in his temples, Harry took several deep breaths, willed himself to calm down. Honestly, he had never lost his temper so easily before! He was usually able to keep his cool and only rarely got really angry, like the time Uncle Vernon's sister Marge had had too much to drink and called Harry's mother an unemployed prostitute and his father a dirty tramp with no education.
And while Skeeter hadn't used such overt insults in her description of Hermione, it somehow managed to hit Harry just as hard as if she'd directly called the girl a money-hungry slut, if not worse.
Just imagine that someone could consider someone like Hermione a cunning swindler, who was only interested in the Potters' name and fortune! These people did not know her at all, but they were already judging her and her relationship with Harry! Even Ron, their close friend, who, it would seem, should have known and understood more than others, immediately believed the newspaper lies.
"What if everyone suddenly found out the truth about Hermione and me?" Harry felt his back become covered in a sweat of sticky horror as soon as he thought about this.
He wasn't exactly sure how the wizarding world viewed such early marriages, but he knew enough about Muggle opinion on the matter to immediately assume the worst.
They would simply be eaten alive.
He could already imagine the headlines. Something like "Hogwarts' Romeo and Juliet", "The Shocking Truth About Underage Lovers", and other burning Cosmopolitan style garbage… No one would care that they didn't do it on purpose, and that, in the end, they had no other choice!
Potter shrugged and looked back at the newspaper on the table, the front page of which featured a photograph of him and Hermione, taken without their knowledge or permission.
"So, we've been watched for a long time? But who exactly is doing this? And why?!"
What was most frightening was how close they were to exposing themselves. Any careless gesture or word in public would be enough. And if the media really kept digging…
In another fit of fear-induced anger, he seized the vile piece of paper and threw it into the fireplace, then watched with delight as the pages burst into flame and gradually shrivelled into black flakes. If only he could destroy the article itself so easily! Half the wizarding population of Britain would have read it by now…
Harry shuddered even more as he remembered the unhealthy fuss that had been caused by his first appearance at the Leaky Cauldron a year ago. All these people he had never seen before were behaving as if they knew him. They were practically tearing him apart trying to shake his hand and get a few words out of him. As if he was some kind of superstar or famous politician, although in reality he was nobody, just an orphan in rags who only found out a day ago that he was actually a wizard! It's scary to think what kind of rubbish they'll come up with about him now when his name is back on the front pages, and in connection with the "love scandal"! What if they also target Hermione too?!
Whoever this unknown Skeeter woman was, she clearly wasn't above gossip and even outright lies, since she was quoting such a notorious liar as Malfoy. Harry just didn't understand how he or Hermione had managed to annoy her to such an extent that she was now so generously pouring slop on them...
Hermione didn't comment on his little newspaper-burning tantrum, because she wasn't in the best of spirits herself. She sat very straight in her chair, tapping her fingers on the armrest and staring off into space, as she always did when she was deeply troubled by a problem. Her large front teeth were habitually nibbling at her bottom lip as she analyzed every aspect of the situation she and Harry were in to find the best solution.
Harry tried not to disturb her, knowing full well that it was best to leave his friend alone at such moments and give her time to calm down and formulate a plan of attack. He had no doubt that Hermione would come up with such a plan sooner or later.
Judging by the dangerous glint in her hazel eyes as she read and reread Skeeter's slander, she wasn't going to let this go so easily. And when she did come up with a suitable punishment for all the culprits, Harry would be the one standing behind her handing her the god damn bullets!
The brazen journalist didn't just attack Hermione personally, she also went on a rampage through her family, as if having Muggle parents was something shameful! As if that made Hermione somehow inferior to others! Skeeter even stooped to insulting her intelligence, which was beyond the pale, especially because it couldn't be further from the truth!
The article was so blatantly trying to push a specific narrative that even Harry, who usually didn't notice such things, picked up on it. It turns out that the wizarding world was full of chauvinistic ideas of the lowest order, and he still naively thought that the problem was only in individual Slytherin idiots...
* * *
To keep himself occupied, Harry picked up a poker and stirred the dying remains of the Daily Prophet, thinking gloomily about what life would be like for him and Hermione in the next few weeks as gossip-hungry students gnawed at their "hot story" from every angle. At least in a few days they will all go home for the holidays, and then, perhaps, the excitement will die down a bit when the news is no longer fresh.
Harry himself, like last year, was going to stay at the castle for Christmas, because there was little that could compare in beauty and magic to Hogwarts during the winter holidays. Besides, even if he wanted to leave, he had nowhere else to go. Aunt Petunia had made her position very clear last time, and Harry had no doubt that her words about an orphanage had not been an empty threat. Professor Dumbledore had promised to come up with something closer to the summer, but at the moment the boy was essentially a ward of the school. Because of that, he involuntarily felt like a suitcase with no handle – too much of a hassle to throw away but useless nonetheless.
"Hermione isn't sure she'll be able to go home this summer either," Harry remembered.
He didn't know her parents well enough to judge. This was only the second time he had met them. The first time had been this summer, when they had all been shopping together in Diagon Alley before school. Back then Harry had found Mr. and Mrs. Granger to be pleasant enough people. Of course, they were a little stunned and scared by the surroundings, but otherwise they held up well for their daughter's sake and by the end they hardly shied away from the next hunchbacked blind witch or goblin that they encountered on their way. In fact, Harry could understand that. He, too, still couldn't quite get used to so much magic around him, and he now spent most of the year at Hogwarts.
From the outside, the elder Grangers looked like a typical middle-class couple from the suburbs, only, unlike Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, they did not act pompously or look down on those who were poorer or less intelligent than them. They weren't as cheerful, loud and light-hearted as the Weasleys, but with Hermione the three of them really did look like those happy families from the commercials on TV.
Harry had to admit that he was a little jealous of Hermione that day. Her mum and dad seemed so friendly and loving… Or at least that was his first impression. But what if he was wrong?
Hermione was not exactly an open person, especially when it came to family matters. All Harry knew so far was that her parents were both dentists and that their home was somewhere near London, and that they traveled together to France from time to time.
He also assumed that before Hogwarts, Hermione must have attended some prestigious boarding school for gifted children or something like that, because a regular school would hardly have been able to meet her needs… Perhaps she had some Muggle friends there that she now missed? Or was she only interested in studying at the time?
Harry hadn't really thought about the pressure Hermione might have been under all this time. Until last year, his own prospects had been limited to St. Brutus's and, eventually, juvenile detention. No one had ever expected anything of him in his life, so he had a hard time imagining the opposite situation, where someone expected you to be the best in your class and to be thinking about going to university almost from kindergarten.
To be honest, after his previous meeting with Hermione's parents, Harry had become a little afraid of them. Even though they spoke much more politely than the Dursleys, they still behaved like typical adults: they only listened to themselves and paid no attention to what Hermione wanted or needed. They even tried to take her out of school by force, as if they were used to making all the decisions for her! Luckily, Professor Dumbledore supported Hermione and allowed her to stay at Hogwarts until at least the end of the school year.
Harry stood up for his friend too, even though he felt incredibly awkward confronting two strangers who weren't entirely wrong. He and Hermione had both broken school rules and had been reckless with that ritual… But it still didn't change anything! Why couldn't Mr. and Mrs. Granger simply understand that magic was everything to the people like Hermione and Harry?! How could they just make the decision to take her away from the wizarding world like she had no say in the matter at all?! It was her life! Her magic!
Perhaps it was because Harry himself had no parents, and so was not at all used to having anyone take care of him or restrict him in any way (the Dursleys' restrictions didn't count, because they were simply rules for surviving in their household, not something Harry would have listened to out of respect for his guardians). He was used to thinking for himself, relying solely on himself, and therefore did not expect help from anyone. This must be why he got over his shock so quickly when Aunt Petunia essentially gave up her guardianship of him and threw him out.
For Hermione, who had grown up with a mother and father she trusted since she was a baby, this whole situation might have felt very different. When she shared her fears about the summer with Harry, she seemed genuinely scared, and he understood her perfectly well.
What if by the end of next term, not just him, but both of them were homeless? And what if by that time Hermione is already pregnant with Harry's child?!
"Stop it. There's still plenty of time before that! And anyway, Hermione said that there was only a 20% chance that she would get pregnant. 20% isn't that much, right? I mean it's less than half! Maybe she won't get pregnant at all..." He consoled himself with such thoughts until he felt that he was regaining some semblance of peace of mind.
He had more pressing things to think about now, and all of them were very unpleasant.
"She was probably planning to go home for these holidays too. But if she and her parents had a fight..."
It was rude to Hermione and unkind, given the seriousness of the situation, so Harry mentally slapped himself, but he still couldn't help the growing joy inside at the thought that the girl might also stay at the castle for the holidays. This meant that they would have much more time for each other, not to mention that they would have almost the entire Gryffindor tower exclusively to themselves…
His cheekbones warmed slightly and his pants felt tighter in the front as he began to imagine all the things they could do together in the common room if all the other students were gone. Tender romantic embrace and long kissing sessions in front of the fireplace were definitely in the TOP-5 of his main dreams, but the first place was immediately and firmly taken by fantasy, which mainly featured his bed in the empty boys' bedroom. Surely McGonagall wouldn't be too proactive in checking what the two of them were doing, right? Last year, for example, she never set foot in the tower until the end of the Christmas holidays...
Despite the danger of being caught red-handed, Harry was desperate to finish what he and Hermione had started in Hagrid's hut the day before. They hadn't managed to do the most important thing because they had been interrupted.
Thank God it wasn't Hagrid or even one of the professors, although the effect was still quite strong!
Harry literally almost had a heart attack when, around lunchtime, he and Hermione were woken by a flash of white light as a blindingly white bird, looking exactly like Dumbledore's phoenix, flew straight through the wall into the room. They got another shock when the ghostly creature opened its beak and suddenly spoke in the Headmaster's voice, happily informing them that they had managed to skip classes, which meant their detentions with Professor McGonagall were being increased by an extra time.
After gently scolding them some more, the "phoenix" reminded Hermione to take her potions, and then ordered them both to report to Madam Pomfrey for an examination that evening.After that, it simply vanished into thin air, leaving them staring in amazement at nothing.
Of course, after such a "wonderful" awakening, they immediately got ready to leave, but before that they tried to destroy all traces of their stay in Hagrid's house – especially on his bed... Judging by the expression on Hermione's face that day as she repeatedly put Tergeo on the sheets, with his idea of a winter picnic, Harry managed to completely ruin all subsequent visits to the half-giant for both of them ever in the future.
"Christ, I'll never be able to look at this bed again!"
However, if he had the chance to live those two days over again, he wouldn't change a minute of it. Although they nearly got themselves killed on the lake, nearly ate themselves to death, and nearly froze in the snowdrifts, what happened afterward was too wonderful to give up on.
Waking up next to Hermione was a dream come true in itself, but then she managed to make his morning even better! The look she had when she came for Harry was etched into the back of his eyelids to stay with him forever. He couldn't wait to have real sex with her!
His cock lengthened slightly, causing him to shift in his seat to hide the growing bulge in his pants. As close as he and Hermione were, now was not the time to be flaunting his boner in front of her.
"Two days. Just two more days, and then the others will leave and we can be alone again," Harry promised himself. Maybe he should have just asked Hermione if she was staying, to stop worrying about not knowing.
He was about to open his mouth to ask a question when a loud knock came from the window.
"It's Hedwig!" Hermione beat him to it, rising from her chair to let the white snowy owl in as it tapped impatiently on the glass and hooted softly. An envelope containing a letter was tied to its leg.
"Hi there, sweet girl! Got something for me?" Harry greeted his favorite affectionately and extended his hand to take the message, but Hedwig ignored him, instead flying to Hermione.
"Is this for me? Oh, it's from home!.."
As she eagerly opened the envelope and then read the letter with growing trouble on her face, Harry himself could not help but feel anxiety. He knew that Hermione had exchanged messages with her parents several times recently, because he lent her Hedwig each time, but his friend had never shared the details of her personal correspondence with him before. That was why Harry was surprised when Hermione handed him the sheet of paper.
Whatever the message from the elder Grangers contained, it made her look at the boy very strangely, so Harry hurried to read it as well:
Dear Hermione,
We hope you are well and that your studies are not causing you too much trouble. We received your previous letter with the midterm report and were pleased to note that your performance, as always, is at a commendable level.
You absolutely must come home for Christmas this year. We've already discussed this and we think you should spend the holidays with your family. We also insist that you bring Harry with you, as we think it's important to get to know him better. Professor McGonagall has already been informed of our intention to invite Harry over for the holidays and has given her approval.
We plan to pick you both up from King's Cross station on the 23rd of December. Please let us know in advance if there are any changes to the plans.
We're eagerly looking forward to seeing you and your friend.
With love,
Mum and Dad.
* * *
Blinking, Harry reread the text again, especially the second paragraph, as if that would somehow help pull a little extra context out of the dry lines.
"Do Hermione's mum and dad always correspond so formally?"
He could literally feel the arctic cold coming from the letter, and he shivered uncomfortably. This was not how he had imagined someone's correspondence with their parents…
"What do you think about it?" Hermione asked cautiously after a few minutes, when the silence began to stretch. Harry looked at her and saw in her eyes the same uncertainty that he felt himself.
His girlfriend's parents – or was she his wife in this case? – were inviting him to their house for Christmas! That was certainly something to think about.
"I don't know," Potter finally answered honestly, when silence became too uncomfortable.
"You… don't want to go?"
Did he? Listening to himself now, Harry realized that he was feeling a whole bunch of emotions about this, but the strongest of them was the fear of screwing up. He wasn't so foolish or naive as to think of this trip solely as an opportunity to spend the holidays with his best friend's family – if only because he and Hermione weren't just friends.
Her mother and father were probably going to use this opportunity to thoroughly "examine" Harry to see if he was right for their daughter. He didn't even want to think about what would happen if he failed the "test."
Could they stop her from seeing him? What if they tried to force her out of Hogwarts again? What if this whole trip is just a trap?!
"What about you? Do you want to go?" Harry asked in turn, trying not to show how nervous he really was. He could see how worried Hermione was and he didn't want to make her think about his peace of mind too right now.
Since Hermione didn't respond immediately but instead frowned with concern, she seemed to have similar reservations about the invitation. Perhaps she was also put off by the cool tone of the message, or maybe she simply put two and two together. Whatever the case, she didn't look like someone who was enthusiastic about visiting her home to enjoy a family vacation.
"If you don't go, then neither will I. I was planning to stay this year anyway."
"So she really didn't think about leaving?"
Harry's heart pounded as he realized that Hermione had planned to spend Christmas at Hogwarts... with him! She had chosen to stay with him instead of going home, even though she rarely went there anyway!
And before his inner insecure pessimist could ruin it, Hermione added:
"I was hoping to spend Christmas with you."
After saying this, she blushed slightly and looked away, but a moment later, she raised her eyes again and gazed at Harry with such a smoldering warmth and silent promise that it was his turn to feel embarrassed and blush this time.
"Oh, shit..."
There was no way he could hide his condition or the huge bulge in his crotch now, which was only made worse when Hermione's eyes slowly slid down his body to deliberately stop at a specific spot between his legs.
"Oh, god... She's now looking right at my..."
"I was just thinking about the one... project we didn't finish," the girl muttered hoarsely and very quietly, but Harry still heard her.
"Oh, yes! Yes-yes-yes! Please, yes!"
He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from groaning out loud. And she hadn't even touched him yet! She'd just looked at him with that hungry, hot gaze that promised Harry heaven on earth, and now he was ready to melt into a lustful puddle at her feet! If she ordered him to jump through a burning hoop now, Harry would only ask how many times!
The air immediately grew tense between them as they stared at each other, practically undressing each other with their eyes. As wonderful as that night and the morning in Hagrid's hut had been, it was nowhere near enough to satisfy either of them.
"I want her! God, I want her so badly right now!"
"Harry..." she almost whined his name, to which the boy's cock and balls immediately responded with a heavy throbbing.
"Shit..."
"We can't..."
"Fuck... I know..."
They both let out a heavy sigh, full of irritation and quiet torment, when another bell rang out.
"It seems like they're already ringing for dinner."
"Yeah…"
Neither of them wanted to go down to the Great Hall and face a bunch of curious looks and possible questions that would be too difficult or awkward for them to answer, but there was nothing they could do. They had already missed two whole days of classes without a good reason and had managed to attract a lot of unnecessary attention.
"We have to go."
"Yeah…"
Right before the portrait, Harry couldn't resist and grabbed Hermione by the shoulders, pressing her against the wall and kissing her passionately, to which she immediately responded, running her fingers through his hair and her tongue into his mouth.
Five minutes later they were still kissing wildly, grabbing each other by the collars of their uniform robes and rubbing their lower halves together shamelessly. They finally had to break off anyway when the second bell rang.
"We'll be late… if we continue… like this…" Hermione breathed this into Harry's mouth, not stopping kissing him. Her wide pupils were slightly unfocused and clouded with desire as she let them roam over the boy's face, just as his own eyes couldn't tear themselves away from hers in those seconds.
"Yes… We must… hurry…"
It was physically painful to part with her, but Harry still managed to do it, although they both groaned in disappointment again.
After quickly smoothing down her tousled curls, Hermione then helped Harry straighten his wild hair that was sticking out on all sides. A shiver of pleasure ran down his neck as she carefully straightened the twisted knot of his tie and then tucked it back into his vest.
"You're such a slob," the girl grinned and ran her thumb over his lower lip, where a drop of her own saliva remained.
"Don't tease!" Harry blushed, although his gaze was dark and deep.
In response, she leaned over and left one last short peck on his lips, and then just as quickly ran out of the portrait opening, so that all he could do was quickly catch up with her, laughing.
As Harry followed Hermione into the Great Hall, he was once again genuinely glad that wizarding fashion was so conservative, so he was currently dressed in shapeless, loose robes. This meant that no one would notice his erect penis, which he couldn't force back into place even if he really wanted to.
In this regard, it was much easier for Hermione to hide her condition. If it weren't for the subtle non-verbal signals from her body that Harry had already begun to understand a little, he would never have guessed that at that very moment his outwardly calm and rational friend was actually going crazy with lust and a mad desire to get into his pants.
"She wants me! She wants me too!" This thought was still very new to him. It warmed his heart and added a few more weighty cobblestones to his already overfilled balls, but Harry was willing to endure any discomfort now if it meant sweet release in the future.
For the rest of the day, he cowardly allowed himself to indulge in fantasies and not think about the Grangers' invitation, even though he knew that he and Hermione would probably have to go anyway. After all, these were her parents! If they simply ignored the problem now, it would only get worse.
Harry would probably screw up big time, of course, but there was nothing he could do about it. Being Harry Potter meant you had to carry the cross of being a complete freak wherever you went.
"At least Hermione likes me even like this!" The understanding of this inspired and gave him enough confidence to continue moving forward, no matter what.
That, and also their mind-blowing, delightful, magical, hot kisses, which he so badly wanted to share with her again as soon as possible!
Chapter 32
Chapter Text
28 August 1992
Dear diary! My name is Ginny Weasley. I don't know why I'm writing this... I suppose I just want to talk to someone. I've got a big family, and it's always noisy at home, but sometimes I feel so lonely…
Hello, Ginny Weasley. I'm glad you decided to share your thoughts. Why do you feel lonely?
* The writing hand jumps in surprise. A few large ink drops spill from the quill onto the diary pages, but they immediately soak into the parchment and disappear. *
Who are you?! How are you answering me? Is this some sort of enchanted diary?
You could say that. My name is Tom. Long ago, I was left in this diary, and when you wrote, I was able to speak to you. You're the first one in a long time. Are you surprised?
Yes … It's strange , but kind of cool. How did you end up here? And why can I talk to you?
It's a long story, Ginny. I used to be a student at Hogwarts. I recorded my thoughts and memories here, and now they come to life when someone opens the diary. You seem interesting to me. Tell me more about yourself.
You were a Hogwarts student? I'm going there in a few days!
Interesting. So, you'll be a first-year?
Yes. I'm 11 years old. I've got six older brothers. One of them, Ron, is already there, and… you know, he's friends with Harry Potter himself! Can you imagine?! He's so lucky! I'd really like to be friends with Harry too. Everyone says he's amazing! I just wish he'd notice me!
Harry Potter? I've never heard of him. You seem to admire him. Why?
You've never heard of Harry Potter?! Oh... I guess this diary is really, really old.
Indeed. Tell me more about this Harry Potter. He seems to be quite intriguing if you're so interested in him.
It's true! He's a real hero! He's so brave! He defeated You-Know-Who when he was just a baby. That's why everyone loves and respects him. I think he's wonderful too! But he never notices me...
Don't be so sure. Sometimes those who seem unreachable can be closer than you think. Why do you think he doesn't notice you?
Because I'm just Ginny Weasley. The youngest in the family. Nobody ever really notices me. My brothers are always teasing me. Sometimes it feels like I don't exist... I want to be more than that.
You can become someone more, Ginny. I sense something special in you. You have your own strength. You can achieve more than you think if you truly want it.
Thank you, Tom. It's so nice to hear that. You're so kind... I'm glad I found this diary. Now I don't have to keep everything to myself.
You can always tell me everything, Ginny. I will listen and support you. You're not alone while I'm here.
* * *
1 September 1992
I'm finally at Hogwarts! I was sorted into Gryffindor, like the rest of my family. And I SAW HARRY POTTER AGAIN!!! It happened during the welcoming feast. He was sitting not too far from me, but I still didn't have the courage to talk to him...
Congratulations on starting at Hogwarts, Ginny. Gryffindor is a great house, and many strong and determined people have been there. Don't worry about Harry; you might find a common interest with him.
I'm not sure... He was surrounded by friends, and I felt so small. What if he thinks I'm just another fangirl?
You're worried about what others might think of you. But, Ginny, strength comes from confidence. Remember, you're special.
Thank you, Tom. Your words help me feel more confident. I hope I can talk to Harry soon.
* * *
3 September 1992
Hi, Tom. Today we were learning levitation charms. It turned out to be unexpectedly difficult! I was waving my wand and saying the incantation, but I still couldn't make my feather rise into the air. .
Hi, Ginny. It can seem difficult at first if you haven't used a wand before. If you want, I can teach you a few "tricks" that aren't usually mentioned in the textbooks.
Really? That sounds amazing! I'd love that!
* * *
4 September 1992
Today I chatted with this boy from my year, Colin Creevey. He's so odd! He's Muggle-born, and he's always carrying around a camera, taking pictures of everything. And he's a fan of Harry too! I hope he gets a good photo of Harry so I can ask for a copy. Colin's nice, but I still like Harry more.
* Drawing of round glasses and a lightning bolt inside a heart frame *
Oh Harry, with your eyes so bright,
You make the darkest day feel light.
Your courage shines, your charms divine,
In dreams, oh Harry, you're all mine.
* * *
8 September 1992
Tom, I don't know why, but I feel so ashamed… Every time I wear my old robes or take out my second-hand textbooks, it feels like everyone's looking at me. I see them exchanging glances, and they're probably laughing behind my back. I just can't shake this feeling. Have you ever felt like that?
Ginny, it's terribly unfair that you have to face such treatment. You deserve better. As for your question… Yes, I've been through it too. Kids can be very cruel, especially to those who are different. You notice their stares, don't you? Maybe they are laughing at you. But you know what? That's their weakness, not yours. They're trying to hide their own insecurities by targeting you.
I just don't understand why it bothers me so much. I thought I'd get used to it, but I can't. I don't want to be "different."
That feeling wears you down, Ginny. And if you let it grow, it can become unbearable. But I'm here for you. I understand what you're going through, more than anyone else. Sometimes, to protect yourself, you have to stop being who you've always been. Become stronger. Do you want me to help you? Together we'll make sure they never laugh at you again…
* * *
9 September 1992
Tom! Colin really did take some pictures of Harry! And he even gave me the best ones! They're a bit blurry, but I'll still keep them safe in my trunk and look at them sometimes. Harry looks so sweet in them, you just wouldn't believe it!! I wish you could see them too, or meet Harry in person.
Yes, I'd like that too, Ginny.
* * *
18 September 1992
Hi, Tom! Sorry I haven't written for so long. We've been buried under homework!
Hi, Ginny. Time flows differently here, so it's alright. Although I wouldn't mind if you wrote to me more often. I'm sure a lot has happened. Want to share?
Well, school's going fine, and I've even made a couple of friends in my house. But it still upsets me that I haven't become friends with Harry, even though it's been almost a month! He's so smart, handsome, and tall! Though not as tall as Ron. He has such beautiful green eyes, and his hair is black, black like a chalkboard! And he's really funny! And clever!
He seems quite remarkable.
Yes, he really is. But that girl Hermione Granger is always with him. She's nice and seems very smart too, but I'm jealous of her. Mum says it's not good to be jealous, but… I so wish I could be in her place!
Actually, envy is natural, Ginny. And it's not bad if it motivates you. If you want to get closer to Harry, maybe you should start by befriending one of his friends… How about Hermione? She could be your way into their circle.
Really? I never thought of it that way... But I suppose you're right. If Hermione and I became friends, it might be easier for me to approach Harry. But what if she doesn't want to be friends with me? She's so cold and distant, even with the other girls. And she's always with him…
You're underestimating yourself, Ginny. You can charm her if you want to. Just be confident, and it will work out.
* * *
19 September 1992
Tom, it's a disaster! I followed your advice and tried to befriend Hermione today, but SHE JUST BRUSHED ME OFF! She didn't even look at me! Tom, I don't know what to do! I'm so desperate right now!
I'm really sorry to hear that, Ginny. Sometimes people are so absorbed in their own thoughts that they don't notice others. It's her issue, not yours. Don't lose hope.
But how can I approach her again? I tried to be friendly, but she didn't even pay attention. I just don't know how to move forward! I tried talking to her about the latest fashion, but she wasn't interested. Then I mentioned Quidditch because I've seen her always listening to Ron's endless talk about the Chudley Cannons, but she just cut me off rudely and walked away! She said she needed to study for some test that's months away. I'm sure it was just an excuse to get away from me!
That's really frustrating. Maybe you should try to engage her with something she likes?
But how?! The only thing she likes is studying! She's always holed up in the library and drags Harry and Ron in there too! I know I'll never be able to compete with her when it comes to studying. She's such a boring know-it-all! I just don't understand why Harry hangs out with her! I just want to be close to him! Is it so wrong to want to be friends with someone?
Of course not. Wanting to be near Harry doesn't make you bad.
Thank you, Tom… You always listen to my whining and support me. You're my best friend! I think you're my only true friend... No one understands me as well as you do.
I enjoy talking to you too, Ginny.
You'll stay with me, won't you?
Yes.
* * *
23 September 1992
Dear Tom, today I finally managed to turn a matchstick into a needle! Just as you said, the key is to focus on the desired outcome, and then it works! You were right. I earned 5 points for Gryffindor and got praise from the professor. Thank you so much!
Congratulations, Ginny! I knew you could do it. All you need is to be more confident in yourself. If you want, I can teach you more advanced spells.
I'm not sure... We have so much homework right now, I can barely keep up. But I have to admit, it feels really nice when the teacher praises you in front of the class!
* * *
28 September 1992
Dear Tom, something awful happened today! Draco Malfoy called Hermione a "Mudblood," and Ron tried to curse him for it. But the curse backfired and hit Ron! Now he's been vomiting slugs all day. I'm so furious that my brother got hurt because of Hermione, and Harry is running around her like she's some poor victim again! Why is the world so unfair?
It's truly terrible, Ginny. No wonder you're upset. Sometimes people can be cruel, but it's not your fault. Hermione clearly attracts trouble, and now your brother has suffered because of her issues.
Why is everyone so selfish? Why don't they care about my feelings or Ron's? I feel so alone and betrayed. It's like no one cares about me in the whole world!
Perhaps you should be more cautious with those around you and only trust those who truly value you. But remember, I will always be here to support you, Ginny.
Thank you. It's hard to trust others when they're so indifferent to me. I really feel like you're the only one who understands and cares about me.
Of course. I'm always here to support you and help you deal with those who don't understand you.
* * *
30 September 1992
Fred and George teased me again. They called me "Mum's little favourite" like I'm five years old instead of eleven! They always make fun of me! And Ron ignores me completely. He treats me like a "little kid" and doesn't take me seriously. I'm just so tired of it.
It's so unfair, Ginny. Your brothers probably just don't understand how you're feeling. They've always been jokers, but I'm sure deep down they care about you. In any case, you can always talk to me if they don't want to listen.
* * *
1 October 1992
Tom, I've learned Lumos using that diagram you showed me! It was amazing to see the light from my wand! It turns out it's so simple when you explain things so clearly! Our teachers seem to make everything so complicated… Now, I want to learn how to unlock doors. Do you know how to do that?
Great job, Ginny! You're a very talented witch, especially for your age. Of course, I'll help you with what you want to learn. To unlock doors, there's a simple but powerful spell – Alohomora. It allows you to unlock almost any locked door, unless it's protected by additional charms. To perform it correctly, you need to trace the following shape in the air…
* A simple and elegant wand movement diagram *
* * *
3 October 1992
Dear Tom, every day I feel like I'm falling for Harry more and more. But now I think of him not just as the boy I read about in books. I see him for real! He's such a strong wizard, he knows so many spells! But he's too modest to boast like others. It really hurts that he doesn't notice me. How lucky I am to have you, someone I can tell all this to! I know you'll never judge me for my feelings.
* A few tears drop onto the parchment, immediately soaking in and disappearing *
You shine in the night like a star in the sky,
While I stand in the shadows, drowning in tears I cry.
My heart breaks, tears flow, drifting into the void,
You are so distant, and I cannot forget your beauty enjoyed.
* * *
8 October 1992
Tom, I accidently overheard Ron and Harry talking about Draco Malfoy today (he's a Slytherin boy a year ahead of me). They said he's been acting suspicious this year – always looking smug, like he's up to something nasty. Harry even thinks Draco is hiding something.
Interesting. In my time, I knew a Malfoy. Their family has always been known for their cleverness and ambition. Perhaps Draco has some goals that no one suspects. People often hide their true intentions, don't they?
I agree. Draco's father and my dad are sworn enemies. They even got into a fight this summer when we were all out shopping for school supplies. I think Mr. Malfoy is really creepy! He's rich, snobby, and definitely looks down on all of us. But, honestly, sometimes I envy what Draco has. At least he never has to worry about affording books and things…
I understand. Sometimes it seems like everything would be easier if you had what Draco has – money, status, influence. There's nothing shameful in that, as power and wealth offer freedom. Ambition is what makes people great. Maybe you feel that deep inside too? If you have drive, you can achieve everything… and then no one will look down on you.
* * *
11 October 1992
Tom, I can't stand it anymore! I constantly see Hermione with Harry. Everyone says there's nothing going on between them, that they're just friends, but I can't stop feeling jealous. No matter how hard I try, it's eating me up inside. Why is she always by his side? Why her and not me? What does she have that I don't?!
I understand, Ginny. Your feelings are natural. People often say "just friends," but who can truly know their real thoughts? You notice details that others might miss. Constant closeness… it's not accidental, is it? Maybe Hermione really wants to be just friends, but what if she wants more? You sense something that others can't pick up on. Sometimes our instincts are right, and it's worth listening to them.
You're the thief who steals my love away,
With your icy glare and your cruel display!
You take what's mine with a wicked smile,
Leaving me broken, alone all the while!
* * *
12 October 1992
Dear Tom, today I went to watch our team practice. I've already told you that Harry plays, haven't I? He's the youngest player in Hogwarts' history. Tom, you should've seen Harry fly! He's a natural Seeker. When he's on a broom, it's like he's one with the sky. He's so fast, so agile, and looks amazing. I freeze every time I watch him catch the Snitch. It's just breathtaking!
In a whirlwind you soar, gliding on your broom,
Captivated by your talent, I'm lost in the room.
In Quidditch, you're a star in the sky's endless sweep,
I'm drowning in your eyes, in a dream so deep.
* * *
15 October 1992
Tom, sometimes I can't stop comparing myself to people like Hermione. Yes, I'm pureblood, but we're almost beggars. My textbooks are old, my robes are second-hand, and I have so many brothers that I'm always last. And Hermione… well, she's Muggle-born, but she's so diligent! Everyone sees it. The teachers adore her. And her parents clearly aren't poor, and she's an only child, so all the care and attention is just for her. And Harry too is only for her! I envy her, Tom. It's driving me mad.
Tears fall like rain on a foggy night,
Sadness fills my heart, shattered and tight.
I dream of being with you, but I'm lost in the dark,
Despair chokes me, and I fade without a spark.
* * *
22 October 1992
Dear Tom, today I feel a little strange. I think my roommates were snooping through my trunk and bedside table. I noticed that some of my things weren't where I'd left them, like someone had moved them around without my knowing. But why would they do that? Some people in class also gave me odd looks, like they suspect me of something or are hiding something from me… But that can't be true, right? I feel like I'm getting more and more confused.
Don't worry, Ginny. It might just be your nerves playing tricks on you. Sometimes we feel uncomfortable even without a real reason. People might look at us strangely, but it could be because of their own issues.
* * *
24 October 1992
Dear Tom, now I'm certain something's going on! Sometimes I can't remember where I left certain books or my spare clothes, and I constantly feel like someone's watching me. I just don't understand what's happening, and I want it to stop!
Ginny, what you're describing sounds troubling, but it's probably just that you're still adjusting to your new environment. I remember feeling a bit like I was losing my mind when I first started at Hogwarts too.
Really? So I'm not the only one? Haha. Well, that's actually reassuring.
Things will settle down eventually. Just remember, you can always write to me if you feel like you need support.
* * *
26 October 1992
In darkness I'm lost, fear eats away,
Horror chokes, memory's blaze won't sway.
Every rustle's an enemy, no help in sight,
What awaits me in the world, in the dead of night?
* * *
27 October 1992
Tom, it's getting worse. Today I ended up somewhere I've never been before, and I don't remember how I got there. I think I lost my memory for a few minutes, and it was so frightening! I've started forgetting things I've known my whole life, like my grandparents' names, our family's important dates, and I can't understand what's happening to me. Please help me!
Don't panic, Ginny. Memory loss and disorientation can be a result of exhaustion. You're probably just very tired from all the studying, and it's affecting your perception.
Yes, maybe... But do you think I should tell the professors or the nurse?
I'd hold off on that for now. They might overreact and contact your parents, and you could be taken out of school. Wait a few days. You can always tell them later if things get worse.
You're right. I haven't been sleeping well lately. There are just so many thoughts in my head, you know? Sometimes it feels like some of them aren't even mine. I know that sounds silly, but I just can't cope with it.
It's not silly at all. You're going through a tough time right now, so some things might seem confusing. I went through something similar, but it passed over time. It will pass for you too.
Do you think so?
Absolutely. You can trust me.
* * *
28 October 1992
The corridors press in through the night,
And there's no salvation!
Someone seems to scream in fright.
I'm surrendered to the dark's invasion!
* * *
29 October 1992
Tom, it's happened again! I've forgotten what I was doing again! One moment, I was sitting with the others in Charms class, and the next thing I knew, I was already in bed, getting ready to sleep. What's happening?! Could I be ill? I'm sure I'm slowly going mad!
* * *
30 October 1992
In every rustle, a threat I hear,
Something there, like a ghost, stirs near.
I am alone. Alone in the dark.
Who will come to aid, to leave a mark?
* * *
31 October 1992
Tom, I'm so scared! Someone attacked the caretaker's cat today! They hung the poor creature up by its tail right in the corridor! But the worst part is, I can't remember at all what I was doing at the time! Tom, I'm frightened! I'm so frightened! Tom!!!
I'm here, Ginny. I'm always here. For you.