| Part One |
The first full week of the term ended two days later. The Gryffindor common room was full of students that evening, lounging around as though already in need of a rest.
For Ron, who was both Head Boy and Quidditch Captain, however, there was always work to do. He loosened his tie as he returned to the Tower from the meeting with Madam Hooch and their new Head of House. The first sight that met Ron's eyes when he entered the portrait hole was a head of unruly black hair near the fireplace.
Ron's mouth widened in an easy grin. There was nothing quite like seeing Harry relaxed to put him at ease.
"Harry!" Ron exclaimed, leaping over the back of the sofa to land next to his best friend. "I've just talked to Dumbledore and Hooch, and it's all set: we've got the pitch for trials after dinner Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week."
Harry's eyes blinked owlishly at Ron from behind their large, round spectacles.
"Wednesday, Thursday... and Friday?" he repeated cautiously.
Harry's green eyes cut sideways to the armchair next to him, which held...
Ron's stomach did one of its familiar, fluttery barrel rolls. "Hello, Hermione," he stammered, wishing he didn't sound quite so much as though he'd been kicked in the gut.
"Hi, Ron," Hermione replied tersely.
Ron longed to see the lovely sparkle that lit up her brown eyes so beautifully, but instead they projected a disappointment that had become quite commonplace lately.
Why did Hermione seem to disapprove of everything he'd done since they had returned to school? It was him being chosen as Head Boy, Ron was sure. Hermione didn't think he was worthy. She wished she could have shared Head duties with someone like Harry, someone everyone admired. She was ashamed of him.
Ron's ears burned fuschia from humiliation at the thought. He'd do anything to make Hermione proud of him, if only he could guess what it would be.
"So you'll be wanting to celebrate, then," Hermione stated evenly. "After you've chosen the new members."
Something in her manner communicated disapproval. What was her problem? Of course he would want to celebrate. It was tradition. She'd even participated in the celebrations in the past, so why did she seem so disdainful of his plans this time?
"Yes, I will!" Ron countered defensively. "Friday's not a school night, it won't interrupt anyone's studying."
Hermione grunted daintily. Her eyes flashed defiance.
"Friday night?" asked Harry. "Next week?"
"Yeah," confirmed Ron, happy to be conversing with at least one normal person.
"That's the nineteenth, then?" persisted Harry. "Friday, the nineteenth of September?"
"Yes..." repeated Ron, wondering what Harry's tone was meant to imply. "Is that alright with you? Don't have some important prior engagement?"
Ron's flush had spread from his ears to his cheeks. He was frankly starting to get annoyed.
Really, all these meaningful glances between his best friends were quite enough. If Harry wanted Hermione for himself, he should have said so, for Merlin's sake. They didn't have to sit here, right in front of him, exchanging looks as though he were some sort of dimwit.
"I don't if you don't," Harry answered slowly.
"Good!" snapped Ron. "That settles it then!" He punctuated his statement by crossing his arms and throwing himself back against the sofa.
Hermione looked murderous. She snatched up all of her books roughly.
"Well just ... have your party, if that's what you want!" she shouted, and with a scalding glare at Ron, Hermione stormed off toward the dormitories.
"Mental that one, eh?" Ron chuckled to Harry, trying to pretend his heart hadn't been crushed into the carpet under Hermione's stomping feet.
Harry stared at him mutely, head shaking slowly.
"Oh, you would take her side!"
What good was a best mate if he wouldn't even be honest about his feelings? Harry was probably happy about the growing rift between Ron and Hermione, because it gave him more time alone with her! Well, if that was how he was going to act, Ron wanted nothing to do with him. He stood quickly, fuming, and shoved his way back out the portrait hole.
Ron thought he heard some protesting noise from Harry, but he ignored him. Harry could do with being ignored once in a while, if anyone asked him, which they didn't.
If Harry wanted to run around with Hermione, Ron could run the Quidditch trials without his help. Ron was captain, after all, not Mister Youngest-Seeker-In-A-Century.
That would show him.