Harry Potter and the Wandless Magic

Chapter Fourteen: The Grim

Harry rubbed his eyes as he rolled out of bed. After a quick shower, he slipped into his robes. Ron had finally gotten out of bed and was eyeing Harry with a suspicious look.

"So . . . you and Hermione, huh?" the ginger boy asked uncertainly.

"Yeah."

"You really do like her, right?"

"I already said that on the train, Ron."

"I'm just making sure that you're not going for her just because she's the closest girl around. She's helped us out of some tight spots. She can be annoying and a menace, but I don't think she deserves that."

Harry gripped Ron's shoulder, proud of his friend looking out for Hermione. It was so unlike Ron that it created a sudden thought that made Harry's stomach lurch. "You're not jealous, are you?"

"What?" Ron burst into a short fit of laughter.

"Well, it could happen. Hermione's great. Any bloke could like her."

"Me and Hermione? Seriously? We'd kill each other."

Harry flushed. "She's brilliant. You two could get along better than you did, you know."

Ron shrugged. "She starts a lot of stuff too. She doesn't have to go mental about schoolwork and feelings and stuff."

"Well, maybe you both could try a little harder to get along this year."

"Yeah." Ron's face fell. "Wouldn't want to ruin the little bit of time we hang out."

Realization dawned on Harry's face. "You think we're just going to abandon you because we're dating now? Ron, you're our best friend too. We're not going to just cut you out."

"But it won't be the same. Will it?"

Harry frowned. "Probably not exactly. I think it'll mostly be the same. You'll just have to see us do couple stuff."

"Like kissing?"

A light flush crept up Harry's neck as he thought of things that he was definitely sure he and Hermione weren't ready for. "Well yeah, and holding hands. Everything else should be exactly the same. We're still three best friends."

Ron nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, as long as you don't snog right in front of me, it should be ok."

"Well . . ." Harry gave him a cheeky grin.

"Oi!"

"Come on. Let's get to the Great Hall. Breakfast, remember?"

A wide grin split Ron's face. "Now you're talking."

Disaster. That was a perfect word to sum up the first class of the day: Divination.

It had taken Harry, Hermione and Ron nearly 15 minutes to climb the North Tower and find the strange silver ladder that led them into the even stranger classroom.