Unexpected | Ron Weasley

Confusion and Guilt

Bryony spent the majority of her week huddled up in the back corner of the library, pouring over Charms and Potions homework, for the most part, and the rest of the assignments from her classes, all while managing to get decent sleep, and eat three meals a day. She found that once she completed her own assignments, it was easier than she thought to dumb them down for Pansy. But, once Friday night came around, Bryony decided she was going to reward herself tomorrow morning, and head down to the Quidditch pitch. She still had a slight headache, but she didn't care.

~Ron~

Ron and Hermione were sitting in front of the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common room that same night, pouring over assignment after assignment while waiting for a rather angsty Harry to return from detention with Umbridge.

"Hey, er- Hermione" Ron began, as he scribbled down another sentence on his potions essay "can I—"

"Ronald for the last time, I am not doing your entire essay again" she replied, not even looking up from her own homework.

"No, no, it's not that" this time... he said

"Oh, sorry" Hermione said, finally looking up from her work. Her unruly brown hair had lost control, forcing her to tie her hair back in order to see what she was doing. "I just assumed..."

"No, no, that's alright.. I... uh—have you ever talked to Pansy's sister, you know, uh... Bryony?"

"Oh Ronald, you're still thinking about the incident aren't you. Didn't Harry tell you to let it go?!?" she asked.

"Err... yeah but... you know how he's been lately... and... and it doesn't make any bloody sense Hermione"

"I guess, you're right. And I have talked to her, a couple times actually, she is pretty bright when it comes to Potions, Snape always gives her slightly higher marks than me, but that's probably since she's a Slytherin, and I think we are pretty tied in Charms, I'm not sure how she did on the latest assignment... I spent hours on it... I hope I did alright... oh no, did I forget to add—".

"'Mione, your essay was perfect" Ron said, trying to calm his friend down, "please. Just tell me what you know, besides, you know, her marks" he plead.

"Yeah, sorry" Hermione said, taking a deep breath, hoping to re-center herself, "she's quite pleasant actually, I mean, for a Slytherin. Don't believe any of those rumors Ron, I would bet you anything that Pansy made them up. I can't see Bryony ever getting detention for jinxing first years..." she replied.

"So, what do I do about... you know... the incident" he whispered, although nobody else was in the common room.

"Oh Ronald, if it's really been bothering you for a whole week, say something to the poor girl. Don't listen to Harr—"

Suddenly the Portrait of the Fat Lady swung open, and Harry walked in, exhausted and disgruntled.
"Don't listen to Harry about what" he accused, as he plopped himself in front of the fire next to his two friends. "You know, I'm kinda tired of people not listening to Harry, so I'd appreciate if my best friends would at least do me that courtesy" he spat.

"Harry...hi... I... I was just telling Ronald not to listen to you about... uh... Quidditch... yeah... Ron does need extra practice..." she said, stumbling over her words.

"Oh. Whatever. You know what, thanks for asking me about detention guys, it was a blast. Love writing with my own blood. I'm just going to bed; I can't focus on anything right now" he said as he left his friends alone by the fireplace.

"Really Hermione. That's all you could come up with?!?" Ron said immediately as soon as he knew Harry was no longer in earshot.

"I'm sorry... I panicked..." Hermione said, sounding slightly ashamed of her actions. "You are good Ron. And you don't need extra practice" she continued.

"Thanks...I believe you... thanks for covering, or trying to" he said, shooting a smile at his friend, hoping to lighten the mood. "Anyway, so do I say something? Say thank you?" Ron said, switching the topic away from Hermione's faux pas.

"Like I said, you need to do what you think is best. I mean, if I were you, I'd probably say something. Actions like that deserve some sort of acknowledgment" she replied. "Listen to your gut Ronald, I know you'll do the right thing" she smiled.

"Thanks 'Mione. You're the best".

"Anytime. Now, we should also get some sleep. How far are you in your assignment?" she asked.

"Far enough" Ron said, shoving his parchment into his backpack. "Come on, we can finish tomorrow, let's get some sleep" he said, hoping Hermione would agree with him.

"I never thought I'd say this... but you're right" she said, as she started packing up her things. "Night Ronald" she said as she headed towards the girl's dormitory.

"Night Hermione" Ron replied.

Hermione is right. I should say something. At least. I mean, nobody has ever done something like that for me before... He thought, as he walked up the spiral staircase to his dormitory. But it can't be public, Harry can't know... Suddenly he had an idea... Quidditch.