Me and You // Ronarry {Discontinued}

Part 7

Summary: A secret Defense Against the Dark Arts group? No way — okay, maybe it's a little tempting

The following week brought a new sense of determination in Harry. He had promised he would try not to lose his temper with Umbridge, even if she was going to be more intolerable with her new position as High Inquisitor, which surely meant his life would be even more hellish than it was already.

Defense Against the Dark Arts was a success despite Hermione arguing with Umbridge about counterjinxes. Harry took great satisfaction in the flicker of frustration that he did not rise to challenge her.

As they were leaving, Ron leaned over and whispered in his ear, "You did pretty well back there."

Harry shrugged, but he couldn't stop the warmth rising in his chest. And the next morning, Angelina walked by with a nod of approval.

He was unfortunately less successful in Care of Magical Creatures, when Umbridge asked Goyle about an injury in that class.

"That was me," Malfoy piped up, only too eager to make Hagrid look bad. "I was slashed by a hippogriff."

"A hippogriff?" Umbridge echoed, scribbling on her clipboard.

Ron grabbed Harry's shoulder, but Harry was too furious to hold back. "Only because he was too stupid to listen to what Hagrid told him to do."

Ron and Hermione groaned.

"One night's detention, I think," Umbridge said.

Harry didn't look at Ron for the rest of class.

Thankfully, it had only been that one night. For the next two weeks, Harry managed to stay clear of Umbridge except in the classroom.

Part of that was because he was more determined than ever not to give her satisfaction and cut his hand up further, but a larger part was because Hermione had given him something else to think about: She had thought Harry could teach some people Defense Against the Dark Arts since Umbridge wouldn't.

Him? Teach them Defense Against the Dark Arts? And Ron had said it was a good idea, too, once Hermione had explained it. Harry had thought they were both mental.

Yet as time went by, Harry had found himself subconsciously planning lessons with spells he had already learned. Maybe it wasn't such a terrible idea after all. And if both Ron and Sirius thought it was a good idea... maybe it was worth trying.

But still, even if a couple people were interested, Harry didn't see how this could help in the long run. Much to his amazement, way more than a couple people appeared. In fact, there were enough people to make up a whole classroom! And most of them were actually willing to join.

"All good practice if you want to be a professor," Ron said cheerfully as they left Hog's Head behind. "Although that Zacharias bloke's a wart."

"Cho's friend didn't look all that keen, either," Harry commented, remembering the look the curly-haired girl had given him.

"Well, they both signed, so they can't back out now," Hermione pointed out, stepping into Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop. "But Zacharias did seem interested when he overheard me telling Ernie and Hannah, and Michael Corner and his friends wouldn't have come if he hadn't been going out with Ginny —"

Ron choked on his butterbeer. "What? Ginny's going out with Michael? Since when?"

"They met the Yule Ball and got together at the end of last year," Hermione told him.

Ron looked at Harry, who shrugged.

"Well," Ron said, "I suppose since Harry's unavailable..."

Harry snorted, but Hermione gave him a look. "Actually, she realized she didn't hold any feelings toward Harry when you told us you were going with him. So if anything, she's relieved."

"Oh." Ron raised his eyebrows. "Well, that's... good to know."

Hermione rolled her eyes, but she didn't look annoyed anymore. In fact, a teasing note edged he voice as she added, "Well, I'm not really surprised you hadn't noticed they came in together. You just couldn't keep your eyes off Harry."

Ron opened and closed his mouth several times. But he did not deny this, and as they started back to head back, Harry found himself appreciating the beauty of the Hogsmeade village more than ever.

Hermione's idea seemed much better now that it was moving forward. Even though Ron and Harry were still behind on homework, Ron could almost feel the satisfaction coming off Harry in waves.

The weather simply added to their good mood. The trio sat in the shade of a large beech tree to enjoy what could be the last sunny day of autumn. Hermione brought wool to work on the hats and scarves for the house-elves. As they finally finished their homework, Harry even allowed himself to lay his head in Ron's lap while Ron played with his hair.

He looked very peaceful, his eyebrows not knitted in anger or frustration, his shoulders loose, his mouth parted slightly. When Ron shifted to make himself more comfortable, Harry let out a small noise of protest and snuggled closer.

Hermione was right, Ron thought. He really couldn't keep his eyes off Harry.

A little bit shorter, but I wanted to keep it fluffy