The War Over Hermione

Chapter 5: The Boy Who Was The Third Wheel

Harry had already been at the Burrow for a week and Ron was ready for him to leave and never come back. He felt terribly bad that he felt like that about his best friend, but he just couldn't help it. Ever since he had gotten there, Hermione focused 80% of her attention on him. The other 20% was divided up between him and his sister. Even though he knew this was going to happen anyways, he still felt horrible about it.

Hermione and Harry had the annoying habit of disappearing for long periods of time. Something again that Ron knew would happen but it still annoyed him immensely. Ginny would often observe her brother, feeling sorry for him, and hoping that things would work out on the end for Ron and Hermione. She had always wanted Hermione for a sister.

After a morning of deknoming, all Ron wanted to do was swim in the cool water of their lake. Unfortunately Harry, who had helped, had the same idea, and had convinced Hermione to join him. Ron had refused. He didn't feel like watching them snog in the water. Also, he didn't feel like controlling his urges while seeing Hermione in a swimsuit.

"What is bothering you, my love?" asked Ginny as she sat down beside her favorite brother. Ron looked at her and rolled his eyes.

"Oh don't give me that, I'm not little anymore. I'm sure we can have heart to heart talks now." said Ginny, nudging Ron.

They sat in silence for awhile, watching nothing in particular ahead of them. Finally Ron spoke.

"I should just give up shouldn't I?"

Ginny looked at her brother and sighed. "You're talking about Hermione, aren't you?"

"Who else? I mean what's the point in doing this to myself? She's my best mate that is dating our other best mate. I'm wrong for even thinking about her the way I do."

"No you're not Ron, you're human. You have always cared for Hermione. My honest opinion? You care more about her than Harry does. Soon she will see that and will allow you to swoop her off her feet and ride a broomstick off into the sunset." said Ginny rubbing Ron's back.

Ron scoffed. "You read too many trashy romance novels. This is the real world. The sidekick never gets the girl. Especially if the hero already has her."

"You're no sidekick. You're Ron Weasley, and you're just as good if not better. You don't have to do none of the shit you do with Harry like he does. You choose to. You give your life for your best friend year after year and you don't even have to. My brother is nobody's sidekick." said Ginny with pride.

Ron gave her a grin and went back to looking at the ground.

"Besides," said Ginny. "Hermione likes you too, Ron."

Ron instantly perked up. "What?! What do you know?! Did she say something? Are you lying to me?!"

Ginny laughed. "Calm down, you great git. I can tell. The way she looks at you, the way she seems to gravitate towards you sometimes, and I know about the sleepover you and her had a few nights back."

"I'm surprised you didn't tell Mum about that." said Ron.

"And risk me getting caught in my affairs? I don't think so." said Ginny winking. "Besides, I'm on your side. They don't fit."

"Are you saying this because of your crush on the Boy Wonder?" asked Ron.

Ginny scrunched up her face. "That dream died a long time ago, big brother. And I'm happy about it."

Ron rolled his eyes. A few minutes later Harry and Hermione ran up dripping wet.

"Oh Ron, you should have came!" said Hermione looking excited. "The water felt great!"

Ron gave Hermione a half smile as he looked at the water glistening in the sunlight on Hermione's body. Thoughts that he shouldn't be having for his best mate's girlfriend started swirling around in his head, and he found himself becoming frustrated.

Harry shook his unruly raven hair and water came out of it, drizzling Ron causing him to break his train of thought and come back to the real world. He laughed and pushed his friend onto the ground .

"So Ron," said Harry getting up from the ground. "Fancy a fly? You too, Ginny. Let's fly over to Dean's or something and see if he wants to play Quidditch with us."

Ron beamed at this. If there was anything that cheered him up the most besides Hermione and food, it's playing quidditch. Maybe that was the keys to his survival. Yes, that was all he needed in life. To be fed, to be loved, and to play Quidditch.

"Alright mate, I'm game. Ginny, you taking your broom or do you want to ride over with me?" Ron asked his sister.

Before Ginny could answer Hermione spoke up. "Actually, would it be okay if I rode with you Ron?"

Harry and Ron looked at Hermione with shock on their faces. Ginny held in her laughter.

"But Hermione, why would you ride with Ron and not me?" asked Harry, somewhat annoyed that his girlfriend wanted to ride a broom with another bloke.

"Harry, you fly wild and you already know I don't even like being on brooms." said Hermione matter of factly. "Ron showed me how to ride on before you came here. I'll just feel more comfortable with him."

Harry glared at Ron. Ron, surprised that he would do that, glared right back. In his head he was happy that Hermione didn't want to ride with Harry.

'Got one up on ya mate.' he thought.

"Oh stop it Harry. Ron is my best friend as well as yours. You're glaring at him as if he is Malfoy or something." she scoffed as she stepped beside Ron, ready to get on with him.

Harry crossed his arms. "Don't be silly, Herm. It's not that serious. Guess I just fly too fast for you, being a seeker and all. I understand. Ginny, you'll ride with me then?"

Ginny finally let out her laugh. "No Harry I got my own broom. Besides I'm heading to Luna's."

Ron mounted his broom and helped Hermione climb on. Harry looked on, feeling a twinge of jealously.

"Just don't drop my girl, Ron." said Harry with a bit of edge to his voice.

Ron caught it and pulled Hermione into him much closer than needed. He held his arm in place around her waist. "Don't worry. I assure you I won't." he said with just as much edge back