End of the Line

Chapter 4 - 5

– CHAPTER FOUR –

Realisations of a Troubled 'Ship

Harry was engrossed in his Transfiguration textbook, reading about turning one animal into

another. It struck a chord with Harry, until he realised that this was what Viktor Krum had done

during the Tri-Wizard tournament. Of course, he'd done a piss-poor job of it, but it showed the

possibilities.

A dull chiming sounded throughout the house. Harry groaned as he hauled himself to his feet,

and headed to the front door.

He peered through the spy-hole, and bit back an angry shout when he saw Ron and Hermione

stood there. He was tempted, for a few seconds, to leave the two of them standing there, but

Hermione was nothing if not persistent, and would probably set up a tent in order to wait for him.

With a sigh, he opened the door, waiting impatiently as the two walked inside cautiously. "Well,

come in, then!" He snapped.

"We don't want to wake Mrs. Black." Hermione whispered.

"You won't." Harry spat back. He turned and walked into the kitchen, putting the kettle on the

stove. "So, what do you want?"

Hermione glanced at Ron, a little unsure of where to begin. Ron decided to make a little small

talk while Harry prepared the tea. "So... uh... What happened to Mrs. Black?" He asked.

Harry pulled out the teapot, and three mugs. "A sledgehammer and an Incendio charm back in

August." Harry replied. "Now that we've enjoyed this titillating conversation, why don't you cut to

the chase? What do you want?"

Hermione spoke up, her voice trembling. "Why did you leave, Harry?" She whispered.

"I answered that in the letter, Miss Granger." Harry replied crossly. "I even gave you reasons.

Examples. Dates. Would you like pictures? I'm sure if you give me a few moments with a Pensieve,

I could supply numerous examples."

"Harry, we're sorry." Ron blurted out. "We didn't realise that we'd excluded you so much."

"Really, Mr. Weasley? You don't notice for over a year that you have two lovers, one of which

you have never even kissed? How exactly does that escape your notice?" He waved his hand

dismissively. "Well, that speaks wonders for a 'Trio' relationship, doesn't it?" Harry asked, handing

a mug to Hermione, and another to Ron. He gestured at the table, watching the two sit, before

making sure he was as far away from them as possible. "You didn't realise that you'd been ignoring

the third member of your group."

Hermione shook her head. "Harry, we didn't think."

"Indeed?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow in a mocking fashion. "That much is obvious, Miss

Granger." Harry retorted. "At first, I didn't mind so much. Now, I just don't care. You've already

made your feelings towards me quite clear." Harry cocked his head, as something he'd thought