Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Harry Potter characters (I do own Sebastian Corax)
I Want to Know You
Chapter 1
Thursday
The fight was a big one. Ron was being insensitive again and Hermione was very upset. Hermione wanted to wait until she got her Ministry career off to a good start before dating Ron and Ron was off training for the Cannons. They began dating when they were twenty and moved in together two years ago. Now at the age of twenty-five Hermione was tired and very unhappy. Their relationship was a bit aggressive at times but Ron loved her, at least he told her he did. Hermione did care for someone else while she was in school but nothing ever came of it other then a drunken make out session that's burned in her brain forever. Her days at Hogwarts were nothing but memories now. Ron was immature, insensitive and had a bad temper; Hermione was getting tired of it all.
"Ronald if you don't start making some real time for us then this is going to come to an end." Hermione said very calmly
"We've been living together for 2 years I see you all the time" Ron defended
"Yes you 'see me'. When you need food, or clean clothes or to get off but we never hang out, go on a date, take a walk or even a quick trip to Hogsmede"
"We've been to Hogsmede loads of times." Ron sighed
"You don't get it; you'll never get it…" She doesn't recall where she got the courage to push him but she took a chance
"You know, I got this on Monday and I wasn't going to show you" she fishes through her pockets and thrusts a wrinkled piece of parchment at him. Ron snatches it and reads.
Hello Hermione~
~ I see your luscious essence drip ~
More to come next week
Ron shoves it back to her his face is became red, Hermione waits for the explosion.
"Who the bloody hell is that from!?" he yells
"I don't know but right now he sounds better then you!" she yells back
Ron scoffs "Who in their right mind would be writing this stuff to you? It's got to be a joke; it's probably Fred and George playing a joke on you."
Hermione looks hurt for a moment "and if it's not?"
"I need to get to Quidditch practice; we can figure this out later."
"Of course, well don't let ME keep you from your precious Quidditch. If you don't start making an effort I'll be writing back to my new friend" she yelled
It's doubtful that Ron heard her last statement before he apparated. Hermione looked at her letter again she had received it on Monday and if she wasn't so worried about Ron she would have sent its owl back with a hundred questions. Since the letter indicated that there would be more she decided to wait for another letter to come and reply to that one. Feeling more then a little upset she decided to Floo to Ginny and Sebastian's flat.
Ginny Weasley and Sebastian Corax were playing wizards chess when Hermione flooed into their living room. Ginny was surprised and was the first to greet her with a tight hug.
"Mione" taking a look at her long time friend Ginny's expression changed "What's wrong?"
Hearing Ginny's tone of concern Sebastian was now standing at Ginny's side looking at Hermione
"Oh I know that look…what did Ron do this time?" Sebastian asked
As Hermione flopped on the sofa with a desperate sigh Ginny and Sebastian looked at each other.
"I'll make the drinks "said Sebastian disappearing into the kitchen
"I'll get the tissues" said Ginny as she went into the bathroom.
Hermione looked in both their directions shook her head and smiled. Ginny comes into the living room tossing the tissue box at Hermione and removing the chess board carefully so as not to disturb the pieces she places it in the spare room. Ginny emerges from the spare room to see Sebastian placing a tray of Firewhiskey and 3 shot glasses on the coffee table. He pours and hands each of the girls a glass and then takes his own and raises it slightly.
"To friends" he announces
The girls repeat and clink the glasses together then all three down their shot in one gulp. As Sebastian is refilling Ginny speaks.
"So what did my dear brother do this time?" she asked with her usual sarcasm
Hermione explains to them how her and Ron are more like roommates and haven't been getting along and he treats her like his maid and cook, but she's careful not to reveal Ron's aggressiveness to Ginny, She goes on to explain how Ron of course sees nothing wrong and that she doesn't feel love or wanted…just used, by the end of her story Sebastian and Ginny have their arms around a crying Hermione. After two more shots each Hermione shows them her letter.
"Did you check it for dark magic?" asked Sebastian
"Yeah, I even contacted McGonagall to see if there was a spell to determine if the writer was being truthful, she told me the spell and I cast it so I know that this letter is true so if another one does come I'll do the same spell on that one as well" Hermione explained
"Any idea who it's from?" asked Sebastian
"No" Hermione shook her head and began to cry a little more. Ginny looked confused
"Why are you crying again?" Ginny asked
" I showed Ron and he said…he said it was probably someone playing a joke, he wouldn't even consider that this might be true as if the very idea of someone being interested in me other then him is preposterous" Hermione managed to say between sobs
Ginny's arm never released from around Hermione's shoulders and now Ginny's other arm had snaked around Hermione's waist and is gently rocking her to calm her down. Without breaking the contact Ginny asked softly
"Are you going to write back?"
"I wasn't going to at first because I felt like I'd be betraying Ron but I decide I am going to write back. Do you think I should?" Hermione sat up and looked at them both
"I don't see the harm and if you and Ron are not happy it doesn't hurt to have …options" Sebastian answered
"I agree, and speaking of options…we still have the spare room if you need a break" Ginny offered as she wiped the tears from Hermione's eyes
"If you don't like the spare…there's always my room" Sebastian said wiggling his eyebrows
"I may take you up on that offer…NOT your offer Bastian" Hermione corrected herself and smiled
"I am curious to know who this is. You snog or sleep with anyone at school other then me and Ron?" asked Sebastian
"And victor" Ginny added
"And Victor, lets not forget Victor" Sebastian said with sarcasm much to the girls amusement
"Well that's a bit personal but it does give me a place to start, I can make up a list of those people and try to work it out from there" Hermione explained
"You want some parchment?" Ginny asked
"Oh no I'm not doing that with you vultures circling over me" Hermione shot back
"You girls want some dinner?"
"I'm going to head home and work on my list and really think about what I want to do." Said Hermione as she stood up Ginny walked her to the Floo "thanks for the booze and sympathy" she hugged Ginny and then Sebastian who gently grabbed her ass. She let out a little gasp but she wasn't angry he usually did something like that and she was fine with it. Stepping into the Floo she was gone in a flash
Sebastian lazily slings his arm around Ginny's shoulder.
"Think Ron will come around?" he asked her
"Nope"
"Think she'll leave him?" he asked again
"Yup"
"Think she'll work out that it's you sending the letters?" he asked pointedly
"Not if I'm careful" Ginny replied with a wicked grin
"I hope this works although there are more direct ways to get her attention"
"Well she's only had a few experiences with girls at school and she wasn't opposed to them they just never got serious. But with me it's the whole 'Ron's little sister' issue. She has to leave him before I make a move. I don't want to take her from Ron…and I don't want to influence her decision either way." Ginny admitted and they sat back in the living room
"Well if it's any help I really think she does like you and I'll do whatever I can to help"
"Thanks. I've loved her for so long I have to try so I have no regrets"
"I understand that Gin but what if she moves in…how will you hide the owl?" he asked
"I'll send them from work and direct the owl to deliver them to my office. I'm glad she used the truth spell so I don't have to waste time convincing her I'm not lying" Ginny sighed
"You have this all worked out don't you?"
"I hope so; I'm just trying to work out a way to deal with Harry."
"Why Harry?" Sebastian asked confused
"I know Hermione and she'll go to head Auror Harry to help her figure this out, but I already have an idea of how to get Harry to help me"
"You want to finish our game?"
"I'll get the board" she said
"I'll get the booze" he smiled