OK, my new poll is up and running! Don't forget to vote everybody!

Katie

Nice...but one thing, if Harry's "mask" thing ever fell off...then he'd be dead!

Ron had locked himself up in his room again. He did that alot lately. And Hermione was getting suspicious. Why did he keep getting owls?

"Ronald!" Hermione whispered at the door. She heard a thud and a gasp.

"Hermione!" She heard, and a scramble. She titpoed away. Ron burst out the door, and looked around madly. "Hermione?"

Hermione stayed quiet. He shrugged his shoulders, and went back inside. Hermione crept in behind him, being careful not to touch him or make any noise. She hid in his closet and watched him.

Ron took out a piece of paper and began to write in pen. Paper? Pen? Hermione was confused. Ron didn't usually write with muggle impliments. She made herself invisible and walked behind him so she could read what he was writing.

Dear Abby,

My situation hasn't changed at all. She still doesn't see that I love her. I wish I could tell her, but he's my best friend. I can't do that to him. In fact both of them are my best friends. Please help me Abby.

Ronald Wiles

Hermione held in her gasp. He had to be talking about....her! And Harry! But why? Why her? Ron never mentioned....

And then the brain started working again. Ron must have liked her since....maybe, she didn't know, 4th year? Hermione's stomach dropped. She needed to get out of the room. She ran out the door, ignoring Ron's yelp of suprise.

*****

Ron was confused about the knock at the door, but he had more important things to worry about. Like his letter to that muggle paper. It was all he could do to have that owl. He had bought muggle paper and pens, so his letters didn't stand out too much. He thought for a few moments, then bent over the paper.

Dear Abby,

My situation hasn't changed at all. She still doesn't see that I love her. I wish I could tell her, but he's my best friend. I can't do that to him. In fact both of them are my best friends. Please help me Abby.

Ronald Wiles

He heard the floor creak, but didn't know why. He looked around, but couldn't see anybody. But he grew more alarmed when he heard a muffled voice behind him, then the door opened and shut.

"Oh no...." He ran to the door. "Hermione!"

When he didn't hear an answer, he immediately assumed the worst: Hermione knew.

Short yes....sorry! Harry tomorrow!

Katie

able to dominate voldemort and kill him and voldemort would be [/quote]dead![/quote]

Hermione stayed away from the house the rest of the morning. She wanted to unscramble the thoughts whirring around inside her head. Ron...RON?? She thought of him as a brother...

But that set her thinking. She remembered her sixth year at Hogwarts, when Ron had been there to comfort her...and she remembered being jealous of Lavender, when they had dated. Was it true? Did she really have feelings for Ron? There was a noise behind her, and she whirled around to face....Ron. She gasped.

"Ron! You...you startled me...hi..."

"Hello." Ron said, not showing any emotion. Hermione reached out and touched his arm.

"Ron...I'm so sorry..."

"For what?" Ron asked, curious.

"For leading you on. For loving you, then oushing you aside for Harry. That wasn't fair to you or to Harry."

"But you still love him...don't you?"

"....yes I do. But I don't want any animosity from you Ron, because....I still love you. As crazy as that sounds...hell, this whole thing sounds crazy! I-"

Ron took her hands and kissed them. Hermione stopped talking, and looked at Ron.

"Ron...I can't....Harry-"

"Forget Harry. This is now. If you weren't lying to me...do what you would have done...if this was back in our sixth year...."

Hermione was silent. Then she leaned foward. Ron did likewise, but Hermione stopped.

"Ron...I can't....I have a conscience....and Harry. It's wrong. No matter how much I'd like too...I can't."

Ron also fell silent, hurt by Hermione's words, however softly they were spoken.

"I understand. And I'll wait for you. Because love like ours is special. It can last forever...don't worry."

Ron left her standing in the woods. Hermione watched him leave, then hot tears fell down her face. The forest was silent, watching this woman cry over a redhead she was afraid she was more than fond of.

Sorry so short! I have to go!

Katie

....why isn't anybody reading??

Katie

HEY!

I'm so sorry, I haven't been here in a bit!! Loooooooooooooved the posts!! ooooooh...guilt=yay!

Love it
.:Adrienne:.

YEA! Adrienne, I'm dedicating the next post to you, my constant reader!

Katie

SCHWEET!

I TOTALLY WIN!

Hehehe, can't wait for a postie!! Are you posting in "Forever Young" as well? (Sorry, you know me...LOVE those Draco/Hermy moments =))

Kudos to mah brilliant writer buddy! *Shnuggles*

Love
Adrienne

Harry was shaken up at his last encounter with Lord Voldemort. He had almost let Voldemort past his defenses. He would have to guard his mind more carefully. He slipped inside Lord Voldemort's tent. It was empty. Harry breathed relief, then started riffling through his papers. There had to be some clue....some clue...to where the Horcrux was.

Harry opened up a drawer and found a box. He opened it carefully. Inside was a locket. Harry took it out. He read the inscription on the inside.

My dear son,

I give this to you as my only gift, besides your life, however you made it. This locket is an heirloom from your father, and from the Riddle family itself. Take special care of it, as it is a priceless artifact.

Your mother

Harry carefully hid the locket in his robes. He had a feeling this was the Horcrux he had been here to destroy! Harry crept out of the tent, letting the flap fall silently. He took the trinket back to his tent. He placed a spell around it, giving him a ten minute warning if anyone approached it, meaning to come inside.

Harry waved his wand over the locket. Nothing happened. Harry spoke dozens of incantations, long forgotten by wizard kind.

"Moste povarde, incantantio forgredure, PRESTIVO!" Harry whispered fiercely, and the locket glowed a deep blue, it sprung opn, and a shadow appeared before him. The shadow was.....his mother.

"Mom?" Harry trembled. He reached out to it. "Mom, no...it can't have been you....to make this Horcrux..."

The shadow nodded sadly.

"Do it quick Harry." The shadow whispered. "I can hear his footfalls."

"Ad-advada kedavra!" Harry wept, and his mother collapsed to the ground, gone. The locket returned to it's original color. Harry fell to the floor, weeping, clawing at the place where he last saw his mother before him.


*****

Voldemort was walking through the graveyard. It was his favorite pastime, such as it was.

"Ahh....soon, I shall catch that troublesome Harry Potter, I can feel it. I feel as though he's close by. But how? How, when even I don't-"

Suddenly, without warning, his body was on fire. Voldemort writhed on the ground. It felt as if his very soul was being torn apart. He started to hear voices....

Do it quick Harry...I can hear his footfalls...

Voldemort shrieked to the heavens. He got up with pain, and limped to his tent. He fumbled in the desk and took out a small box. He opened it with trembling fingers. The box was empty. Voldemort dropped it in shock.

"No...." He mumbled. He stumbled backwards. "No....NOOOO!" Voldemort screamed. He ran out his tent, and his feet led him to one close by. He saw his Death Watcher on the ground. He pulled out his wand. The Death Watcher glanced up, startled.

"My Lord, what-"

"Advada Kedavra!!" Voldemort said coldly, and the Death Watcher fell to the ground, dead.

Whoo....was it Harry?

Katie

hope that was good enough for ya, Adrienne and GodricPotter!

Katie

Noooo! Where did all my beautiful readers gooo? *gets a search party for them*

omg!!! Is it Harry? Is he dead? He can't be.
PAMS

Roshni

THAT WAS TOTALLY GOOD ENOUGH!!

Sorry I took me a bizillion years to reply!!!

OH MAH GOSH!!! NOT HARRY!!! *EEEEEEEEEEE*

Love
Adrienne

I can't tell you......now. Weee! PEOPLE!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!

Katie

Voldemort came out of the tent in a rage, passing tents, cursing to himself, feeling weaker and weaker. He came to his second Death Watcher tent and burst through the flap. The startled Death Watcher came to his feet.

"Yes My Lord?"

"Take off that mask." Voldemort demanded. The Death Eater stiffened.

"What My Lord?"

"Take....off.....that...MASK!" Voldemort yelled, and the Death Watcher flinched. He raised his hand to the mask, and hesitated. "Well?"

"My...my Lord....I can't."

"And why not? I am not tolerating this disobedience. Take it off!"

"....Crucio!" The Death Watcher screamed, and this time it was Voldemort's body that was on fire. Voldemort lay on the ground, in pain, and the Death Watcher took off his mask.

"As you wish.....My Lord." Harry said mockingly, and bowed. He left the tent. Voldemort watched him go, a growing rage building up. He reached for his wand.

"Stupify." He said calmly, and Harry fell to the ground.

*****

Hermione had to go out that day. She offered Ron to come with her, but he refused. Hermione sighed. She was trying to get along with Ron, but he was refusing to cooperate. She started to walk down the trail, when she heard a voice.

"Hermione! Wait!" Hermione's face brightened when she saw Ron.

"You changed your mind?"

"Yea...It's just...I thought it would be stupid of me not to go." Ron took her arm, and they walked down the road in companianable silence. "So....where are we going?"

"To town. I need to pick up a few....items."

"Really? Like what?"

"Oh...nothing....I just thought...you know...."

"I know....what?"

"Well, it's somebody's birthday, and it isn't mine, I'll tell you right now." Ron stopped her, and they stood there, looking at each other. "What?"

"How did you know it was my birthday?"

"Oh, nobody told me, but...how long have we been friends?"

"About nine years..."

"And when have I missed your birthday?" Hermione rolled her eyes and kept walking. Ron caught up, still scratching his head.

They had a wonderful time. Hermione let Ron pick out the ingrediants for his birthday cake, and Hermione went away for a half-hour. She wouldn't tell Ron where she'd went.

Ron spent his birthday outside. He went for walks. He sat and smelled the fresh air. He thought of Hermione, and how wonderful she was. Finally, Hermione was done baking the cake. It was yellow, with green decorations on the side. Ron blew out the candles, while Hermione sang Happy Birthday in her pretty alto voice.

"So?" Hermione asked while she cut the cake.

"So...what?"

"So....what did you wish for?"

"Oh, you know..good health, best wishes..."

"Gimmie a break. Seriously, what did you wish for?"

"Well..." Ron looked at her sheepishly. "A Happy Birthday kiss."

Hermione looked at him blankly. Then leaned foward. Ron met her halfway, and they kissed.

Ron didn't want it to stop. He came around the other side of the table, and held her, kissing her softly. He was in heaven right now. Nothing could be better: It was his birthday, Hermione was in his arms, and Harry wasn't there to spoil it.

Hermione was having mixed feelings. Ron was a terrific kisser, it was his birthday, but...something was nagging her in the back of her mind. Her gaze fell on her hand.

Harry's engagement ring...

Hermione turned the ring around, so the gemstone wouldn't shine on her.
Katie

*new reader alert*
Hey i just got caught up reading it. Wow, this is a really good story! hehehe i actually like it a lot. I don't really like stories with Harry and Hermione in relationships but i really like this one. KEEP WRITTING!! hehehe i want more!

Wow! A new reader! Hi, I'm Katie, and I'm so glad you were drawn into my story! I'm glad you like it!

LOL it probably didn't occur to him!

Yea! Bells, ur back! LOL I don't like writing about Harry, he can be such a git sometimes!

Posties on the way darlings!

Katie

Great postie!!!!! I loved it SOOOO MUCH!

Love
Adrienne

Harry awoke to find himself in a dark cellar. There was a small window with bars on it in the ceiling. A smal portion of light flowed through the enev smaller opening. He rubbed his eyes, and found his mask to be off. He started violently, and frantically searched for his mask.

"It isn't here Harry."

Harry's head snapped in the direction of the voice, and Lord Voldemort emerged from the shadows. Harry backed away a few feet, until he was against the wall.

"Well, well, well...one of my greatest enemies....deciding to join the ranks of his...oh, what is that word? Oh yes, oppressor? How fastinating."

"What do you want?" Harry asked defiantly, trying hard not to show his terror.

"Simply to ask what you are doing here, besides the fact that you obviously destroyed my Horcrux. I suppose that might be the reason your in this cellar. For my revenge."

"And how, may I ask, are you planning on doing that?"

"Oh, trust me, I have ways." Voldemort smiled cunningly, and snapped his fingers. A vision appeared to Harry. It was Ron and Hermione, kissing. "Ever wonder what these two are doing while your away, Harry?"

"...no..." Harry whispered. "It's.....not true. Hermiione wouldn't-"

"Oh yes she would. Those two were meant for each other. Oh, how hard you tried Harry. To turn a blind eye to the way they sometimes looked at each other, they way Hermione never seemed to be fully enjoying herself with you."

Harry turned away from the picture. It changed. There was now Harry and Hermione. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. But when Harry went away for a few minutes, Hermione watched Ron enter the room. They gave each other looks of longing, then Hermione tore her eyes away from his to give Harry attention.

"Poor poor Harry, caught in a lover's triangle. How touching."

"...shut up.." Harry said through gritted teeth.

"What was that Harry? I didn't quite hear you." Voldemort put a hand to his ear.

"I said, SHUT UP!" Harry screamed at him. The picture faded. Voldemort looked amused.

"Shut up you say? Well, I'm done here. But you're not. This is to be your torture, Harry Potter. Until the day...you....die." Voldemort turned to leave. "Oh, by the way Harry, you won't be alone for very long. I promise you that."

"What do you mean?" Harry called to his retreating back.

"Oh, nothing, just you wait and see. I wouldn't want to spoil the suprise for you."

"VOLDEMORT!!" Harry shrieked at him, but Voldemort made no reply. Harry slid down the wall, onto the floor. His tears slid down his face, in the very same way.

Poor Harry! He's stuck with Voldemort, his fiancee's unfaithful, and with his best friend, no doubt! What shall happen next? Only time shall tell...oh, and me too I guess!

Katie

Oh mah gosh.

Stupid Dark-Pants Voldie.

Gosh.

Great post!

Loveddddddd it!
.:Adrienne:.

Hermione and Ron grew closer as the weeks went on. What they didn't know, was that Harry was watching them, and he was slowly dying inside. But there was also rage. A deep, fierce rage that seemed to grow and fester in Harry's heart. And Voldemort saw this, and was glad.
*****

Ron was watching television when Hermione came in, and sat next to him on the couch.

"What are you watching?" She asked, and sat on his lap.

"Just the game. Have you gotten a letter from Harry yet?"

"No. But...I'm not too worried about him. I'm sure he's fine."

"Hermione?"

"Yea Ron?"

"Look at me." Hermione gazed into his eyes. "Have you truely thought of Harry since his last letter?" Hermione looked away. "Hermione?"

"I don't want to talk about that right now."

"No Hermione. I don't believe you have. You have thought of nothing but me, I"m sure."

"Can we stop now?" Hermione was getting restless.

"No, Hermione. Just think for a second-"

"NO! I WON'T! You need to stop now Ron, before you do some damage to us." She tried to leave, but Ron grabbed her arm.

"Hermione, please, I'm starting to feel-"

"Feel what? That maybe it was wrong to lead me on for so many years? To take advantage of my situation? Oh, Harry's gone, now Hermione's all mine!" Hermione was screaming now. "THAT'S NOT FAIR, AND YOU KNOW IT!"

"WELL, MAYBE I'M TRYING TO CORRECT MY MISTAKES!" Ron jumped up, equally angry. "BUT I'MAPPARENTLY NOT ALLOWED TO, BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT! GOD FORBID WE TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THE PRINCESS DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT!" He stopped, chest heaving.

Hermione could only glare at him. Ron stared back. It was a showdown, and Hermione finally looked away. She was so confused.

"I'm going to my room now. And I hope I never see you again." Hermione ran to her room, and slammed the door shut.

After about an hour, she calmed down. She decided to apologize to Ron. But as she went to the door, she heard a terrific crash, and sounds of a struggle. She heard Ron screaming in pain, then another crash.

"RONALD!" Hermione shrieked, and ran to the living room. The room was a mess. There was glass everywhere. Signs of a struggle were apparent, and there was a note on the table. She read it with trembling hands...and a trembling heart.

Hermione,

We have taken Mr. Weasly to keep Mr. Potter company. If you truely cared about either of them, you will follow him and try to save one of them. However, you must only choose one.

What will your choice be?

*****

After Ron and Hermione's spat, Ron turned the television off. He sat there, fuming. Who the hell was she to make him feel guilty? She was just a stupid b*tch. That's all she was. Just a stupid-

"Hello Mr. Weasly."

Ron whirled around to see a man in black.

"And who, may I inquire, and you?" Ron hid his immediate terror.

"I'm an agent of the Dark Lord. And a messenger, of sorts."

"Well, bully for you. Excuse me, there's something I have to do-"

"Sit down, Mr. Weasly." The man pulled out a wand, and pointed it at him. Ron sat back down, slowly. "That's better. Now, you are to come with me."

"But...what about Hermione?" Ron asked worriedly. "And the fact that I won't come, that's another factor."

"Oh, I can handle you with no problem. And Miss Granger as well. But it will be much easier if you come quietly."

"Like hell I will." Ron said, and hurled a chair at the visitor.

He shot it out of the air, and there was a crash as it fell to the floor. Ron heard Hermione's yelp of suprise. The man turned, and Ron jumped on him. They r