| �I� we�uh�� he stuttered. �We pretty much studied the whole time,� Hermione interjected. �You can never be too prepared for the O.W.Ls.� Harry sighed in relief, knowing he was lucky that Hermione was such a quick talker. �Harry studying?� Ron laughed. �I wish I had been here to see that, that�s even more rare than seeing a dragon!� �Yeah, it wasn�t easy convincing him, but since you weren�t here there wasn�t much else to do,� Hermione responded. She looked at her watch. �Well, I hate to run so soon, but I really need to get to the library. Professor Flitwick promised he�d teach me a new levitation charm this afternoon,� she said. �See you both later!� She hopped out of her seat and headed off for the library. �Have fun!� Ron called after her. He turned to Harry. �Well, since we have a free afternoon today, do you wanna play Wizard�s Chess with me?� he asked. �Oh, sure!� Harry said. The two boys stood up and walked back to the Gryffindor commons room together. When they got to the commons room, they set up their chessboard by the crackling fireplace. They began the game, talking lightheartedly about their winter vacations. Harry kept thinking about his amazing night with Hermione. He really wanted to tell Ron, but he had a strange doubtful feeling when he thought about it. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to tell Ron. After all, Ron was his best friend. If Harry could tell anyone, it would be Ron. Just go for it, Harry told himself, what do you have to lose? �Your move,� Ron said suddenly. �Oh, sorry,� Harry said, returning his attention to the chessboard. He looked up at Ron, who was intensely studying the board. Harry gulped but decided to tell him anyway. �Ron?� he said. �Mmm?� Ron responded. �Uh, you know how Hermione and I took a walk after the ball on Friday?� he asked nervously. �Yeah�?� Ron said. �Well� uh� we kind of� kissed that night,� Harry said sheepishly. �Huh? Kissed? Like, what sort of kiss?� Ron asked carefully. �You know,� Harry said, �A long kiss. And we�ve kissed a few times after that.� �You have?� Ron asked, the corners of his mouth turning down slightly. �Well, are you actually going out or was it just a one time thing?� he inquired. �I think we�re going out but I�m not sure,� Harry said uncertainly. �I see�� Ron said, gritting his teeth. �Knight to E4,� he stated dryly. The knight slowly moved across the board until it came to Harry�s bishop. After a brief pause, the knight took his sword and swung it at the bishop, shattering it. �Checkmate,� Ron said coldly, before standing up quickly. �Good ga� � Harry started to say, but Ron turned his back and walked quickly up the stairs. �Or not,� Harry said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. He�s so sensitive about everything, Harry thought. He�s just jealous because he doesn�t have a girlfriend. * * * * * * The next day, Harry woke up to see that Ron had already left for breakfast. Yawning, he got out of bed and changed into his school robes. He looked at his watch. Seeing that it was early, he realized that he didn�t have to rush to breakfast. He walked downstairs and saw Seamus, Neville, and Ron just about to leave. �Hey guys, wait for me,� Harry said, hurrying down the stairs. �I think uh�. Hermione wants you to wait for her,� Neville said quickly. �Oh, really?� Harry asked. �Ok then I�ll see you at breakfast.� Harry plopped down on the couch. After a few minutes, Hermione came down the stairs with a few Gryffindor girls. Harry stood up and walked over to her, smiling. �Were you waiting for me?� Hermione asked with a slight surprised tone to her voice. Harry nodded, and Hermione smiled. �That�s so sweet! You could have just gone with Ron you know, you don�t have to wait for me.� �Oh,� Harry said with a puzzled look on his face. �Neville told me you wanted me to wait for you.� �That�s strange� Oh well, lets not make a big deal about it. Let�s just go to breakfast,� she said. Hermione grabbed Harry�s hand suddenly, and the girls Hermione was walking with before started giggling. Harry�s face grew hot, but Hermione just shook her head, smiling slightly. �Just ignore it,� she whispered in his ear, �We�ll probably get a lot of that in the beginning but they�ll get tired of it after a while.� �Alright,� Harry said. They walked down the corridor together, holding hands lightly. Luckily there were too many people in the hallway for anyone to notice Hermione and Harry together. They entered the Great Hall, where they sat across the table from Ron. Even though it was obvious that they had walked in, Ron didn�t look up. |
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| Chapter 17 Continued |