Chapter 3: Practice and PlanSummary:Another chapter today? Yes, absolutely (It's technically 3:00 AM, but you know what I mean).
Harry is kinda fed-up.
Longbottom to the rescue.
Ron needs a hug.
Hermione is confused but pleased.
Chapter TextPractice had been hell.
Ron couldn't seem to catch a single Quaffle, and for some reason had decided that it was all Harry's fault.
Ginny was particularly distracted too, often stopping in midair to look at the scenery- lost in thought. Harry had yelled himself hoarse for two hours straight, and while he was in the shower he could only think about curling in front of a fire with Hermione and having some fucking quiet time.
But it looked like there was no rest for the exhausted, because once the locker room had been cleared Ron had cornered him.
"What the bloody hell are you playing at, Harry?" he immediately attacked while Harry was searching for a pair of clean sweatpants- he had exactly zero intention of putting on any kind of constrictive garment that evening. The entire day had been trying enough, both emotionally and physically.
Now, Harry knew he should be more tolerant. He wasactively trying to steal Ron's crush from under his nose, after all -probable failure of marriage or not. But he was in all honesty at his wits' end that evening, so he opted for feigned ignorance and passive aggression.
"Quidditch. Do you recall how that works, mate? Because it looked like you forgot out there," Ron ignored his snark.
"Carrying 'Mione's bag, complimenting her hair, vanishing with her for hours ?" Ron almost shouted, "Does any of this ring a bell?"
"Yes, Ron. It was indeed what happened today. I thought about it and decided I had to clear the air with Hermione. She deserves better from me than what I've been giving her, and she said she was sorry too about some stuff. Now we're all good, better than ever really. Have you got a problem with that?" Harry stated firmly.
Ron spluttered for a few moments, face as red as his hair.
"That's it? You want me to believe you've been alone together for three hours just to say sorry?"
"Since when do I have to report my movements to you, Ron? Since when does Hermione ?" Harry inquired.
"That's not what I meant! I mean, people are talking, Harry-"
"Let them. If the thing they report about me these days is that I'm involved with Hermione, I will take it as a compliment," Harry said flippantly, pulling up his sweatpants.
Ron paled considerably.
"Harry?" He whispered.
"What?" Harry continued his innocent act -maybe he would feel like a bastard later, but for now, he just wanted the interrogation to end. Ron visibly steeled himself.
"What's happening between you and 'Mione? What have you talked about for so long, and why have you not asked me to come with?" Well, Ron was sharper than he looked. Blast it.
Harry breathed deeply, trying not to rage at his best mate. "What we talked about was private , Ron. Between me and Hermione- we have a relationship outside of you, you know? Not everything should be done as a trio. Nothing is going on between us," - yet , he didn't say- "and frankly, it wouldn't concern you either way. You know the three of us will always be friends, but in the end, each of us is his or her own person," he stated.
Ron just stood there, mouth agape. Before he could retort, Harry slammed his locker closed with a bit more force than necessary. With a last, meaningful look Harry continued. "And by the way, she hates when people call her 'Mione," and walked away.
———
Harry returned to the Common Room in pretty low spirits. He didn't want to alienate Ron at all, but he just couldn't keep making decisions about his life with Ron as the foremost priority. Even dinner had been drab.
He was immediately relieved when he saw that Hermione had saved him a spot on the loveseat in front of the fire. Or rather, Crookshanks had saved it for him, and once he approached them the half-kneazle immediately jumped on his lap. That was new -Crooks always seemed to just tolerate him, while despising Ron outright.
"Harry!" Hermione greeted him with a beautiful smile- hissmile, he noticed with no small amount of pleasure. They were back for good, it seemed.
"Mi," he slouched on the couch, but not before pressing a nonchalant -he hoped- peck on top of her head.
"I wanted to talk to you about something…" he looked at her curiously, stroking Crooks' orange fur.
"I'm trying not to be pushy, so I will just lay it down for you, and you'll decide if you want to participate or not," she bit her lip nervously.
Harry couldn't help a little quip - she was adorable.
"Already putting me to work? Do you have another Egg to crack? Maybe silver, for a change? Because this time I wouldn't mind a bit of company-" he was interrupted by a roll of parchment banging on his head.
"Harry James!" Hermione was red as a tomato, and Harry couldn't help but laugh.
"Sorry, sorry, just kidding," he waited a bit, "unless you-" another scroll flew to his head.
"Okay, no more idiocy. What did you have in mind?" He asked more seriously.
"A lot, honestly, and I wanted your opinion on what to do," She stopped a moment and cast a silencing charm. "This level of secrecy? Now I want to know," Harry said.
"As I said this afternoon, I want us to be as prepared as possible. I think we should pick up duelling again," Harry nodded, thinking it was actually a very good idea. Hermione continued, taking a deep breath. "But that's not all. I know that you hate talking about it, but I wanted to find a way for you to honour and remember both Sirius and your father, when I realised- why not learn something invaluable in the meantime?" Hermione brightened, "Harry, what do you think of becoming Animagi?" Harry was struck dumb.
Why had he not thought of this? His father and his friends had done it, why shouldn't he at least try? He was immediately excited.
"Yes! Yes, of course I want to. But will I be able to? I mean, isn't it very difficult?" He deflated a bit.
"Don't be ridiculous, Harry. The Animagus transformation has more to do with connecting to your animal side and the amount of power you have than anything else. Sure, it also entails a fair bit of Human Transfiguration at first, but you will be perfectly capable, I'm certain," she hesitated a bit, then smiled- a secret, quiet thing.
"You're a great wizard, Harry," she added more softly. Hermione sounded absolutely confident in his abilities. He felt ten feet tall. Then he remembered and felt all the better.
"I'm not as good as you," he added, a bit shy but incredibly fond.
"Me? Books, and cleverness. There are more important things," she recited, laying her head on his shoulder to relax a bit.
"Friendship and bravery," he whispered with a smile.
In the future, he would recognise this moment as the one when he had fallen head over heels in love with Hermione Granger.
———
They were both ignorant of the stunned faces of the students in the Room. No one had ever seen Harry and Hermione behave like this, and it was premium quality material for the next day's run of gossip.
One redhead in particular had just passed the Portrait in time to witness the cosy scene- his eyes burning in a way he couldn't attribute to the wind anymore. He ran up to his dorm, unnoticed by his two best friends.
Hermione had finished her assignments while Harry was out on the Pitch, and had taken some time to think about her day. Harry had been a revelation, to say the least. He had been treating her like royalty since morning, and their meeting in the RoR had been -without exaggeration- one of the most emotionally charged conversations of her life. She was beginning to understand just how much her past actions -or inactions- had impacted him, and she would be damned if she didn't do her best to make up for it.
He had been extra sweet and extremely touchy-feely all day, now that she was thinking about it. There had been more physical contact between them that day than all of fifth year combined. She sighed, happy to have resolved the problem and content at the prospect of focusing on her best friend. Harry rarely ever touched anyone, and that had always worried her- if he was growing more comfortable then she was all for it.
Said best friend also smelled particularly nice, she couldn't help but notice -like freshly mowed grass, his minty body-wash and something uniquely Harry. Her nose was very close to his pulse point, after all. And he had a very attractive jawline. And face. His damp hair was darker than midnight, and his eyes. Morgana , they were the most beautiful pair she had ever seen.
And well, he did fill out his sweatpants and t-shirt particularly well.
Merlin, when did Harry become a man? She had said it jokingly earlier, but now…
Best to just ignore it, she decided. Wouldn't want to overcomplicate things.
What she wasn't aware of were Harry's thoughts, which had gone in a new direction ever since she had leaned on him. The fact of being this blatant with their affection was a novelty for him. He had always thought he would dislike PDA in general, but now he wasn't so sure anymore. Obviously, he wasn't going to compete for exhibitionist of the year, but having Hermione so close to him, so publicly, without even a hint of hesitation from her part… well, it was a powerful feeling. It made the little caveman in his brain howl with pleasure.
Was he a possessive man? He didn't honestly know. He hoped not, in the sense of treating girls like property -Hermione would hand him his ass if he ever approached a thought like that, no matter if she was his best friend or girlfriend.
But in the sense of appreciating this feeling of belonging? Yes. In making sure that people knew he was taken , not available? He liked that thought. He would love it if Hermione got possessive over him in that sense. He didn't even think about jealousy- his trust in Hermione was absolute, and if they got together then the last thing she would do was cheat. Especially on him -it was just too outlandish to even consider, and it applied both ways. No way in hell would he ever fumble Hermione over some side chick.
He was startled when he met Hermione's eyes, which looked as far away as his were a couple of moments prior.
"What's on your mind?" He asked gently.
"Nothing," Hermione shook her head, but it was clear she was worried over something. He just sank deeper into the couch and raised an eyebrow.
Hermione huffed. "Okay, it's about the book," she gave him a look. "Don't make that face, Harry, I'm not going to throw it in the rubbish bin!" Harry rolled his eyes. "I was thinking, maybe it could really be useful. It still scares me, and I don't want you to attach yourself to it any more than necessary, but maybe we could go over it together? Try the spells on a mannequin in the Room of Requirement, so they don't cause too much destruction?" Harry smiled at her, a smile more beautiful than she remembered.
"I mean," she continued nervously, "I think that obscure spells might give you an edge in a duel, but you have to understand their effects and have a counter curse, or it becomes all too dangerous to be worth it," she shrugged one shoulder, a bit flustered by his complete and devoted attention. Had he always looked at her this intently, or was she seeing things?
"As for he potions part, use it if you need it. But you'll have to promise to at least try to understand the reasoning behind the modifications- in this way, you might learn a lot more than Professor Snape ever taught you."
Harry was relieved to hear her compromise about the book. It was favourable in every part if you didn't count the extra work it supplied- which he didn't, because it was just another excuse to spend time alone with Hermione. Two birds, one stone if you asked him.
"I'm in," he grinned roguishly. "Of course you are," Hermione grumbled. "Never a moment of peace with you," he faked offence.
"Who, me? I'll have you know, I'm feeling pretty peaceful right now- especially after that shit practice I had to lead earlier," he lamented.
Hermione looked a bit confused. "Sorry, Harry, but didn't you say the team was good this year? I don't want to say something wrong because, well, you know my interest in Quidditch begins and ends with you. And Ron too, now," she added as an afterthought.
He pressed another kiss on her hair, endeared by the fact that she tried to support him even when she didn't give two shits about the topic- he'll have to remember to do better the next time she ranted about Runes.
"Don't worry about that. In short, the team is good in terms of talent, and we all work well together, but some players were distracted and it threw off the entire game," it seemed almost surreal to be talking about Quidditch with Hermione instead of Ron, but since he was the problem… plus, he really liked that she had put the effort to follow along and didn't just let him rant away while reading a book.
It looked like they had both progressed a lot in a minuscule amount of time. Did it really stem from one, however long, earnest conversation? Maybe they should try this communication thing more often.
"Maybe try talking to them? Both one-to-one and as a group, I mean. Make it clear that whatever dispute or personal problem should be left outside the Pitch, because you have limited time to train and wasting it wouldn't be conducive to a victory in the match next week," she offered tentatively. "Or just pile up drills on anyone who disrupts the practice," she added candidly.
Harry stared at her for a few seconds before bursting out laughing. When he saw she was starting to look offended, he amended. "I think," he said between giggles, "that you should train us. And maybe an army," Hermione shoved him with her shoulder, a reluctant smile playing on her lips.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm bossy -alert the Prophet ,"
Harry calmed down, a lopsided grin still on his face when he rested an arm on the couch, behind her shoulders. It was strangely instinctive, the way he was enjoying physical contact with her.
"Bossy, but brilliant. I'll talk to them soon, thank you," Hermione smiled warmly.
"Oh," Hermione remembered. "What about Ron?" Harry tensed a bit. "What about him?"
"We should include him in our training, don't you think? At least for Animagus transformation and duelling," she thought for a second, "I don't think he would be interested in the book, anyway," she offered.
Harry sighed. "Yeah, I should inform him," he acquiesced, and a large part of him wanted his friend to join them. He wanted him to be prepared to fight should the need arise, but he also hadn't liked his attitude during the whole day. He would tell him, but he would also specify that it was serious training, not a way to avoid homework.
Okay, now he was being a little unfair. Was he mad at Ron? Maybe. He didn't appreciate the whole 'I saw her first' routine he had going on in his head, even if he thought Harry didn't know about his crush. The choice lay, ultimately, with Hermione -and expecting him to back off from her, who could be his future wife , because it would bruise Ron's ego to 'lose' to Harry in something was just too much.
If he was being honest, he didn't think Ron's feelings ran deep. He had known about his own for less than a day, and had already developed a plan to treat her right, not to mention had tried his best to make everything smooth again between them.
Maybe they processed things differently, but he didn't think constant belittlement and bickering were symptoms of a healthy relationship. Ron without a doubt had a crush on Hermione, but Harry felt that the most enticing thing in his eyes was demonstrating that he could get the girl . He found the whole thing immature.
With a last sigh, Harry wished Hermione goodnight and took the stairs to his dorm.
———
Ron had been in a horrible mood since that morning. It was as if everything had been flipped upside down and only he was left behind. Just last night, Harry had been annoyed with Hermione, and she with him. What had happened to change that?
It was eating at him- Harry especially. The way he had stared at 'Mione while she wasn't looking had been… strange to say the least. Like she was the sun, the moon and the stars all wrapped in one. He had even thought about a love potion, but Harry didn't act barmy and Hermione looked as confused as he had felt, at first -not that he thought she would ever slip a potion to Harry. It was just strange- but not unnatural. In fact, it was the opposite, like something had slotted into place for Harry - and Ron had not been part of it.
Harry's responses to his questions were infuriating. He looked both oblivious to Ron's feelings and adamant in his own. Because Ron had seen it all, the way he had smiled at her, the scene in the Common Room- cuddled in front of the fire with her cat from hell, looking for all intents and purposes like a married couple. He had seen Harry bend down to kiss her hair, just like he had seen him puff his chest out like a ponce when he had trotted around with her bag on his shoulder. The fact that they had vanished for hours had driven people nuts with excitement, while he had almost made a hole in the pavement worrying about what they were doing and saying to each other.
The practice had been a failure, too. Of course , Harry had caught the Snitch a million times while shouting at them. He was just good like that, so much that sometimes Ron just wanted to punch him in the face.
He cared for his best friend, of course, but why did he always have to be so much ? Ron didn't want him to fail, but to just leave something for him, too. Harry had the money, the fame, the power, the skills, the monikers- everything but a family. And while Ron knew that Harry considered him family, he couldn't help but feel that sometimes even his own relatives preferred Harry over their brother and son. Everything piled up at one point.
And now Hermione? Ron had nursed a slight infatuation with her since the Yule Ball, but it had developed into a full-blown crush by the time they had started their fifth year. Who wouldn't? Hermione was everything one could want in a girl. Sure, she was a nag and didn't care about Quidditch, but she was still a great girl. There was a reason they were best friends, after all -other than Harry himself. And she had been close enough to him for a while, he reckoned. Then they had rowed about some topic or the other and had drifted apart again. This cycle had been repeated a dozen times, and it was frankly both exhausting and exciting.
But today had ruined everything. Harry had decided that he didn't like the way things were with 'Mione and had solved them in one fell swoop, bringing her closer than ever to himself. He had looked in his element, with her head on his shoulder and having a hushed conversation.
Ron didn't know what to make of any of it. He had never talked to Harry about his feelings for Hermione, so his mate had been acting as a free agent all day. Maybe, if he made it clear… no, it wouldn't work with Harry. And honestly, he didn't think he had a leg to stand on when requesting that he- what? Leave her alone so Ron could, eventually , decide if he wanted to pursue something or not? Harry would sock him in the face, rightfully. But he still felt betrayed.
He wanted to have the confidence to just come clean and let Hermione decide between them, but in truth, Ron didn't have it. Even he could see that Harry, at least on paper if not by heart, would be the right choice for her.
And that's what stung, wasn't it? Being the second choice, again and again. What hurt him the most was the idea of Harry getting yet another thing he didn't have -in this case the girl . Because if it had been another bird, the situation would have been different. Hermione? She was unique. She was their best friend and the Golden Girl (people blabbed a lot when they weren't around), and while it was ridiculous and shallow and horrible, he had wanted to be the best at something for once- if Hermione Granger wanted him, it meant he was enough .
Were these the right reasons to pursue someone? He didn't know. These days it seemed like he didn't know anything.
———
Neville Longbottom had spotted a storm brewing from the moment he saw Ron's expression as he entered the Common Room. He didn't usually meddle in other people's affairs, but being the quieter guy in the dorm had the perk of being able to observe . Since second year had rolled around and he had discovered girls , Neville had figured that it would come the day when Hermione Granger would have to choose between Harry and Ron.
It was inevitable, really. Even he had nursed a crush on her throughout second and third years. She had been very kind to him ever since she had helped him find his toad on the Express, (Petrificus notwithstanding) and had aided him a lot with his homework. She also had very pretty eyes- that was all it took for a boy, really.
It eventually passed, and he was happy about it- he was not the right fit for her and she for him. He could now enjoy their simple friendship freely.
But he knew that Ron wouldn't think along these lines at all. He had grown up since fourth year's debacle, certainly, but Neville could sometimes still see the nagging insecurity and jealousy in his eyes when he was around Harry and Hermione. It was something that would boil over at some point, and he would much rather have a tranquil dorm life- thank you very much .
So, Neville Longbottom made the decision to have a talk with Ron Weasley.
———
"Hey, mate," Ron stopped polishing his broomstick -his broomstick with twigs , thank Merlin-, startled from his thoughts. "Oh, hey Nev. Everything alright?"
"Yep, just wanted to see if you were okay, or maybe needed to talk with someone," Neville asked tentatively.
Ron tensed, averting his eyes. "Why would I not be okay?" Neville looked at him like he was stupid, and he sighed- resigned.
"It's just… them, you know?" Neville just nodded. "I thought Hermione and I would, you know, end up together eventually. But if Harry's a contender…" he shook his head sadly. "Then I have zero chances," he turned his face away from Neville's surprisingly insightful eyes. Neville caught the use of 'contender', and knew he wouldn't like the outcome if Hermione ever found out about it.
"Why would you think that?" Neville replied, unexpectedly. "Is it because he's Harry Potter, or because it's Harry and Hermione ?"
"What do you mean?" Ron was confused.
Neville sighed. It was stressful to be the introspective one.
"Ron, I know you're jealous of Harry," Ron seemed ready to throw a fit, ears already burning, but was stopped by Neville's raised hand.
"It's okay, really. I can see why. He's Harry Potter , and was more famous than Chocolate Frogs when he was one year old. But he's also Harry , he's smart and powerful and kind of intimidating, the Youngest Seeker in a Century, not to mention objectively handsome-"
"You a poofter?" Ron grumbled, but Neville silenced him with a look.
"He's all of these things and more, so it's normal for a guy to feel sometimes jealous when you compare yourself to him,"
"Thanks, now I know everybody thinks I'm inferior to Harry- real kind of you, Nev,"
"That's not what I meant at all. I meant that you have to stop holding yourself to an impossible standard." Neville sighed.
"You have always had this one-sided competition with Harry and your brothers, and even with Hermione herself. But you missed something relevant along the way, in my opinion. You will never be Harry Potter or Fred Weasley, because you are already someone. You're Ron. You don't have to be like, or better than someone else to be noticed, or important. You will never be the Boy-Who-Lived, and Harry will never be Ron Weasley . That's how things are meant to be," Neville shrugged.
"I know, Nev. And I appreciate the thought. But at the same time… It's hard, you know? Being around them without feeling less than," Ron looked forlorn. "They are brilliant, Harry and Hermione. They are my best friends and I care about them, but they take so much space that it's impossible not to shrink around them."
"I can understand that. But you have to realise, Ron, people like Harry and Hermione are rare , if not impossible to find. Do you think it is easy for another Hermione Granger to be born anytime soon?" Ron shook his head thoughtfully. "Do you think another Muggleborn can make a name for herself from nothing at the age of seventeen? She was born to make waves, Ron. And Harry? He was born for greatness, too. Everybody knows this, Chosen One or not," Neville continued.
"And being their friend is an honour for me, frankly. They have both helped me immensely and I will not resent them for being special. I think, Ron, that it's a bit selfish of you to ask for diamonds and then blame them for shining," Neville's words hit harder than Ron expected. He still remained silent, though.
Neville changed approach.
"If they end up together, do you think they will ignore you?", "No, of course not. That's not the point. I- I've had a crush on Hermione for a long time and-" he caught Neville's sceptical look.
"What?"
"It's just… I find it strange. You and Hermione have always clashed, and I wouldn't rationally be able to think of something you have in common apart from your adventures and- well, Harry," Neville thought for a moment. "When did you notice her in that way for the first time, Ron?"
"At the Yule Ball,"
"Ah." He sounded like something he thought had been confirmed.
"Out with it, mate."
"I don't think you like Hermione, mate. I think you like the idea of her- of being with someone that makes you feel important. Don't take this the wrong way, but would you have noticed Hermione if she had not gone to the Ball with Krum?" Ron's mouth opened and closed silently.
"You're treating her like she's a trophy, Ron. But Hermione is not something to be won from others. She's the Brightest Witch of Her Age, certainly. This shiny Golden Girl everybody noticed after the Yule Ball and when they started the DA. But she's also her own person, and she deserves to be with someone who loves her for who she is, not whatshe is," Neville clapped him on the shoulder, getting up from his seat on Ron's bed. "And so do you, mate. Focus on being Ron Weasley, better yourself in what you like to do and stop comparing yourself to other people. Everybody who cares about you will thank you for it - it's a great guy, that Ron Weasley, you know."
"Thank you, Nev. You-you're a great mate, too." Ron was genuinely thankful.
He had a lot to think about.
———
Harry approached his bed slowly, still thinking about the witch downstairs. She had been so sweet all day. Still in a very Hermione way, but how had he not noticed how endearing she could be? He was an idiot.
Noticing Ron, he remembered what he had to do and sighed tiredly. That day had been the longest, and he just wanted to sleep .
"Ron,"
"Harry," they greeted each other standoffishly. Harry rubbed a hand over his eyes and decided to just get on with it. They were alone, so he didn't put up any silencing charms.
"Hermione and I have decided to train again. Duelling. But we've also thought of trying out becoming Animagi. You in?"
Ron blinked for a moment, surprised at the news. " Animagi? Isn't it like, almost impossible?"
"Hermione says it's not. And if Wormtail could, why not us?"
"Don't remind me," Ron shuddered at the mention of 'Scabbers'. "I mean, yeah. I'll try. I'm in for duelling, too," he agreed.
Harry nodded, partially relieved. He still didn't know where he stood with Ron.
"Well then. Goodnight,"
"Night," Ron responded, and closed the velvet curtains of his bed.
Harry sighed again, finally ready to sleep. He launched himself into bed, closed the curtains, and rested his head on the pillow.
He was out in five minutes flat.