A cool breeze blew as everyone was celebrating the end of term
A cool breeze blew as everyone was celebrating the end of term. Dumbledore had decided that after all of the attacks by Voldemort the students could use some excitement before going home, so the house elves, supervised by Filch, had set up numerous tables, heaped with food, down near the lake. Close by there were many competitions being offered. I looked around for Harry and Ron. I had just finished packing and now, since it was almost 9 o'clock, reluctantly came outside to join in the fun. As I made my way down to the table where Harry and Ron were playing one last game of wizard's chess, all I could do was think longingly of the library. It was somewhere safe. There I could immerse myself in a book and for a short time forget about everything.
Terry and I had gotten together at the beginning of Year 6 and everything had been wonderful. We started talking one day during a prefect patrol that we had together and he'd asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him. Our friends weren't surprised when two of the smartest people in the school started going out. Then out of the blue just after our seven month anniversary Terry broke up with me and has avoided me ever since. Not that I particularly wanted to speak to him after that.
"Hey, Hermione. Finally decided to rejoin the living?" Ron teased after he glanced to see who was coming.
"Hi, Harry. I've just been packing- I didn't die, Ronald," I retorted in a condescending tone of voice, "Have you got any of your packing done yet?"
Blushing Ron began, "Ah, well, no. Not exactly. You see, Harry..."
"I had nothing to do with it, mate. I'm all packed." Harry objected, still surveying the chess board.
"Thanks a lot friend." Slightly embarrassed, Ron reddened and cuffed Harry on the shoulder.
"Just as I suspected. You know you should really have packed already. You won't have..." I began to rant.
"Hermione! Please, it is the last day; don't ruin our fun." Ron pleaded,getting down on his knees with a puppy dog expression on his face which made Harry chuckle. This was a sight that caused me to burst into laughter for the first time in a few months.
After apologizing to Ron and wiping the tears from my eyes, I helped Ron up and asked, "Alright then. Anyone fancy a game of Exploding Snap?" For the next hour I joked and had fun with the rest of them as we enjoyed the sunny summer day.
Later in the day I was feeling sad and withdrawn again. The only one to notice this was surprisingly, Harry. Ordinarily you had to beat him about the head with something before he noticed it. But still he was getting better; at least he wasn't as bad as Ron. Around two o'clock every one else, with the exception of Harry who only entered the Quidditch game scheduled for that evening, wandered off to the competitions that were now in full swing.
I was still sitting on the ground beside a giant tree watching the others have fun. I just couldn't believe that they could all be so carefree. Everyone kept telling me to just forget about him and move on, that I was better off without Terry if he couldn't see how much he was throwing away. But as much as I really wanted to follow their advice I just couldn't. He'd been my first boyfriend and I'd been very much in love with him.
As I said, Harry noticed that I was feeling a bit blue and so he stayed when everyone else ran off. Harry knew that something was bothering me and I guess he wanted to see if there was anything he could do to help. Walking over looking down at me he asked, "So, What's up?"
I looked up at him and answered, "Nothing." in a tone as close to cheerful as I could get.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked as he saw the tears shining in my eyes. "You don't act at all like it's nothing." At these words I lost my strained composure and began to cry quietly, "Hermione, what is it?" Harry once again asked, now genuinely concerned about his normally poised,imperturbable friend.
"Everything and nothing." I had to admit drying my eyes on a tissue. Clumsily Harry put an arm around me and patted me on the shoulder in an awkward attempt to console me. I felt my stomach do a weird flip when he did though I didn't know yet what it meant."I'm just sad to be leaving and, well, you know."
"No, I don't know; you won't tell me. Maybe I can help." Harry suggested.
"It's nothing really, I've just been a bit down lately." I sighed.
Finally seeing what might be the problem Harry asked hesitantly, "Terry?".
Surprised, all I could do was nod. How in the world could he know what I was thinking of? He's never been very good at understanding girls. Then I thought, Well, I guess it's not all that hard to figure out. I have, after all, been moody for ages now. Thinking of this made me resolve to get on with my life and stop moping about.
"So, let's go play a game of Exploding Snap or chess or something. It'll make you feel better I promise. Come on." Harry said standing up and leading me back towards the picnic table.
We spent much of the remainder of the day playing games together and never once did I sink back into my depression. Each time a relapse loomed near I thought of my resolution and redoubled my effort to leave behind all thoughts of Terry. The day passed and we all boarded the train the next morning with the usual unhappiness. The trip passed quickly, since I joined in the fun and laughed with the rest of my friends.
Back on Platform 9 ¾ there were a lot of shouted goodbyes and promises to write from the students. This year Harry would be staying for only a week at Privet Drive to pack up all of his things and move them to the Burrow. Mrs. Weasley was now hugging Ron so tight that his face was quickly becoming a nice scarlet color to match the prefects badge he still wore pinned on his somewhat worn shirt. While Ron protested this treatment, Harry was saying to me, "Well, I guess I'll be seeing you in a couple of weeks at the Burrow."
"Actually," I said with a little regret, "I'll be spending the entire vacation at home this time. With the exception of your birthday party, of course."
Startled, Harry replied, "Really? That means I'll end up with Ron this summer. I hope I'll get out of Privet Drive earlier this year. It's getting to be even worse there now due to Dud's new weight lifting schedule. They've got me helping him too."
Coming over to us and scowling at his mother over his shoulder Ron said, "Don't forget you're coming to the Burrow first thing this summer, Harry. Hermione, Mum said to tell you you're welcome at our house any time. Like you didn't know that already." shifting Pig's cage to the other hand he said, "Have a nice vacation; I'll be seeing you two. " Then he walked away leaving us alone once more.
"Well, that's settled. I guess I'll see you at my birthday party then." Harry said looking at me as if trying to decide something. Then he gave me an awkward one armed hug as Hedwig protested in the cage he was holding.
"I'll write I promise. Bye, Harry." I replied and walked away towards my smiling parents who were waiting by Platform 10. Silently Harry strolled toward the waiting Dursley family who were scowling at him and at the same time looking frightened as they'd just been visited by no less than seven members of the Order of the Phoenix. Another summer had begun.