Take Me As I Am

Take Me As I Am

Chapter 2

Ron sat there, staring at Hermione. He was so shocked. Harry walked in and said, "Hey how's it going?" He noticed that Ron was just sitting there and Hermione was trying to figure out his feelings. Harry backed away, but Ron stood up and blocked him.

"How could you? You little backstabber!" Ron yelled as he pushed Harry to the ground. Harry looked up to see Ron's eyes filled with fury.

"I didn't mean to hurt you!" yelled Harry, as he blocked another blow. Ron kicked him and Harry howled in pain.

"How do you like it now? How does it feel to have you friend turn on YOU?" Ron yelled as he hit Harry again, this time right in the nose. Harry's nose began to bleed.

"Ron!" yelled Hermione as she ran to block Harry. Ron pushed her away.

"Stay out of this! It's between me and Harry!" he yelled. Hermione ran in front of Ron.

"Ron! Stop! This isn't like you! Leave him alone!" she yelled. Ron let down his guard. Hermione never yelled at him before like this.

"Fine. Have fun with him. Don't count on me anymore," he said as he walked away. Hermione watched him leave. She ordered that Harry go to the Hospital Wing. Harry went. Hermione sat down and began to cry.

*~*

Ginny was sitting alone in the library. She was reading up on the aging potion. Snape is torture, she thought. She slammed the book down and rest her head on the table. She looked up to see Draco Malfoy walk in. He headed straight to the flying section. She picked up her book and walked to him. "Malfoy?" she said. He looked up.

"What, Weasley?" he asked. He looked her in the eyes and she took a step back.

"I was, um, just wondering if, um, you could help me with my Potions essay," she asked. Her voice was nervous. Draco looked at the book she was holding and took it. He read the cover.

"Aging Potions? Are you serious? Snape is making you do this?" he asked. He smiled. "Well, I guess I'll help you," he said. Ginny smiled. Oh what I wonderful smile, Draco thought. She guided him to her table and Draco opened the book.

"So where should we start?" asked Ginny. Draco chuckled.

"I think we should start on why you're reading this book," he said as he picked up another book off the table. The title read, "101 Ways to Amuse Your Friends." Ginny laughed.

"It's for the talent show," she explained. Draco nodded.

"Well, for starters, you should know exactly how old you wish to make the person or object. You need to concentrate on that. It says here that for each millimeter you pour into the potion, that's how much years the person or thing will grow older," he explained, not once looking at the book. He smiled. Whoa, did he just smile? He seems really different lately, Ginny thought. She pushed those thoughts out of her head and began taking notes.

*~*

Ron sat in his bed. He looked out the window to see the Quidditch team walking on the field. I guess that I should go to this, he thought. He grabbed his broom and walked down. He pushed everyone out of his way. When he got there, the whole team, all but Harry, approached him. "What were you thinking?" yelled Seamus.

"About what?" Ron asked. The team looked at him and Dean pushed him.

"You dork! You beat up Harry? How could you? You freak!" he yelled. Ron got up and looked them each in the eyes.

"You guys only care about the famous Potter! Guess what? I don't care! I QUIT!" he yelled. He walked away. Harry was standing in his way and Ron pushed him down. "You may have won the battle but you could never win the war!" he yelled. Ron walked away so angry that he crashed into everyone. That included Draco.

"Hey watch where you're going Malfoy!" Ron yelled. Draco looked at him, baffled.

"Excuse me? I wasn't the one crashing into everyone. By the way, good job on beating up Potter. He deserved it," Draco said as he walked away. Of course he deserved it, Ron thought. He walked away and went to the common room. There Ginny was passing out flyers for the talent show. She handed Ron one.

"Hey Ron! Are you trying out for the talent show?" Ginny greeted him. Ron looked at her baffled.

"Hi Gin. Um I guess I might," he said unsurely.

"Try singing, you have a great voice," she said as she walked away. Ron stood there, holding the rules Ginny had handed him about the talent show. He read that it must be something meaningful. I'll give you meaningful, he thought.

*~*

"Welcome! This is our first talent show but this won't be our last. I will start off with the rules of this talent show. Your acts must be meaningful. There shall be no misbehavior. Any name-calling and I will deduct House Points," boomed Dumbledore. "Our first act will be a very great singer. Everyone please welcome Mr. Ron Weasley," Dumbledore announced. Some people clapped while others hated him. Hermione clapped but Harry didn't.

"I'd like to dedicate this song to someone who is special to me. Well, the song I am performing is 'Broken Vow' by a Muggle singer, Josh Groban," he said. {a/n: the song lyrics are italicized.}

Ron began to sing. His voice was beautiful. Everyone was stunned.

Tell me his name

I want to know

The way he looks

And where you go

I need to see his face

I need to understand

Why you and I came to an end

Hermione sat there stunned. Was he aiming this song towards her? Hermione looked at Harry. His fist was clenched, as if he were ready to hit him.

Tell me again

I want to hear

Who broke my faith in all these years

Who lies with you at night

When I'm here all alone

Remembering when I was your own

Harry sat upright. No Ron. Don't do this. Don't sing for her, he thought. Harry looked at Hermione. Her face was fixed on Ron.

I'll let you go

I'll let you fly

Why do I keep on asking why

I'll let you go

Now that I found

A way to keep somehow

More than a broken vow

The whole school seemed to be hooked on his words. His voice carried the music out so wonderfully.

Tell me the words I never said

Show me the tears you never shed

Give me the touch

That one you promised to be mine

Or has it vanished for all time

Hermione was listening to his voice, to his message. Why would he sing for me, she thought. Harry looked at her and watched her. He sighed.

I'll let you go

I'll let you fly

Why do I keep on asking why

I'll let you go

Now that I found

A way to keep somehow

More than a broken vow

How could you? You're trying to ruin everything, Harry thought. Ron's eyes drifted around the room. His eyes met Hermione's.

I close my eyes

And dream of you and I

And then I realize

There's more to life than only bitterness and lies

I close my eyes

Please understand what I am trying to say, Ron thought. He wished so much for Hermione. He wanted to hold her in his arms. He wanted her to love him.

I'd give away my soul

To hold you once again

And never let this promise end

You stupid. You are trying to get Hermione. You can't! Not when I am alive, Harry thought. His eyes began to fill with fury. No one noticed. They only noticed Ron.

I'll let you go

I'll let you fly

Why do I keep on asking why

I'll let you go

Now that I found

A way to keep somehow

More than a broken vow, mmm...

Everyone but Harry clapped. He was furious. Everyone loved Ron and all suddenly wanted to be his friend. Harry got up and left. Hermione was clapping so loud that she didn't even notice Harry leave.