Bend and Break
by Summoner Skye
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and everything related is copyright by JK Rowling, Warner Brothers, and other scary corporations that I really would rather not get involved with.
Part 1: Bending
Hermione Granger: Harry Potter's best friend, resident Hogwarts genius, Ron Weasley's girlfriend?
It wasn't a novel idea. It was one that had raced around her head for ages. When unchecked, the thought usually flowered into an elaborate plot that culminated in screaming babies and… Well, the screaming babies said it all.
But lying here a month into what really may not turn out to be just another summer holiday, in a borrowed bed with the Burrow slowly creaking over her head, Hermione strongly doubted that she'd ever get close to even the possibility of adding to the Weasley gene pool.
Not that that was what she wanted. Hermione would be content with merely a kind word or two here or there, or (and she felt some disgust at thinking this, but it was true) another moment like that at the funeral, when all the stupidity of the year had been forgotten and Ron had simply been there for her. Now, apparently, all the stupidity was being brought back up, and Hermione once again found herself the butt of jokes about McClaggen and silly arguments over the meal tables. This was countered with substantial use of the words "Lavender" and "snog" and a new found ability to hold her tears until she had reached the small room she shared with Ginny.
Ginny, of course, had figured out within days what was going on and had roundly attacked Ron and provided Hermione with a shoulder to cry on. It was mildly annoying keeping quarters with someone as intuitive as Ginny when you can't control your emotions as well as you would like, mused Hermione. But, better than Lavender and Parvati.
Hermione rolled over in bed, pulling the covers tight around her chin. Ginny was sitting at her small desk, hair pinned up on the top of her head. Her wand stuck out of the front of her baggy, flowered pyjamas. Ministry regulations had been cast aside, and it was ready to be used.
Like Hermione's. Hers lay on the nightstand, never more than an arms length away. Also ready, but legally. Hermione was well into her seventeenth year, an adult by wizarding standards and a child by Muggle. But Hermione had chosen to live by the wizarding train of thought, and it was with that in mind that she had Apparated home to tell her parents she'd be spending another summer away from home. She hadn't told them it may be longer than that.
So here she was, once again sleeping on a conjured bed in Ginny's small room, in a very different household than the one she remembered. It was a strange mixture of emotions. The heaviness of Dumbledore's… (Hermione felt her eyes fill with tears) was countered with the preparations for Bill and Fleur's hasty wedding, and the simple joy that they were all alive.
"Hermione…"
Hermione hastily blinked the tears out of her eyes.
Ginny had turned towards her and was regarding her with that expression of motherly concern that Hermione had learned so well to recognize.
"You know, my bat bogey hex is rather good."
Hermione managed a laugh, though it came out small and strangled. It had been a good guess. "That's not it."
Ginny stiffened. If it wasn't Ron, then there was only one other thing it would be. And still, nearly a month after the fact, that wound still gave sharp pains when probed. There was a moment of silence. Low voices drifted up the stairwell, familiar voices Hermione knew she woundn't see in the Burrow come dawn. Despite her status as an adult, she still wasn't privy to Order information. She didn't know if Harry was.
A loud snore sounded from somewhere nearby. The clock ticked. Hermione glanced at it, the acute angles of the hands telling the late hour.
Ginny stifled a yawn. "Shit." she said "Fleur will kill us if we're not awake tomorrow."
The girls groaned. Ginny flopped down on her bed and found her way beneath the comforter.
The last three weeks had been a flurry of activity, as Bill and Fleur's wedding was rushed into. Fleur's mother (The Delacours had taken up residence in Ottery St. Catchpole, after a short stay at the Burrow. No one had appreciated staying with a whole family of those women, the men included.) had been appalled at the rushing of the ceremony, but given the circumstances they really didn't have a choice.
Hermione felt a month was more than enough time to simply get two people married, but Mrs. Weasley and Mme Delacour wanted to make the most of the union of their eldest children. Reception, cake, music, the works. Including bridesmaids.
Hermione groaned again, rolling to face the wall. Ginny giggled halfheartedly. "Good night, Hermione." Then something whispered under her breath, and the light was gone.
A/N: I'm working on something original now, and this was just an exersize to release some pent up energy after rereading HBP three times in a row. I was planning on doing a whole fic of the wedding, but all I got out were two scenes. This one, and one the night after the wedding (involving Ron, Hermione and a little too much wine. Alone. In the middle of the night. No, its really not like I make it sound). Its not complete, but I think they stand well on their own. Part 2 will be up shortly, I have to type it and edit it and spell check it. I have just one thing to ask: I really am looking to better my writing- I'm an amateur and I know I'm not the best. So please, be picky about the technical details! I really would like to benefit from the comments! (January 22, 2006: Revised and respellchecked!)
-Summoner Skye