A/N: Here's my continuation of Starlit Sanctuary- set much later in the
year though. Please R&R!
~*~
Ginny looked out the Common Room windows at the pouring rain. Her vision was horribly blurred due to the large amount of streaking on the windows from the rain and the most she could make out was Hagrid's cabin. It looked very lonely, sitting out there among the large grounds. With a sigh Ginny slumped down in one of the overstuffed armchairs scattered all about the room. She was exhausted. This year had been hard for her, what with O.W.L.S on the way, Qudditch practice - she had been chosen as a Chaser - and all the extra meetings of the D.A.
Thankfully, they had not disbanded as they had been ordered to under Professor Umbridge last year. Rather they had gotten larger, and they had gone public. Dumbledore and the teachers knew, and they actually encouraged Harry's teachings! Almost all the students were involved with the D.A. now and they no longer had to use the Room of Requirement. Dumbledore graciously allowed them to use the Great Hall - due their large number - and he stocked it with whatever necessities he believed would help them. Ginny's heart swelled with pride whenever she thought about the D.A. It was such a privilege to support Dumbledore this way - being his army. She was so proud of all that were with her, and she marveled at their increasing skills. The group met two times a week, usually Monday and Saturday evenings.
Ginny looked around the room in silence, content to just think and observe. Ron and Harry were to her right, playing chess, and Ron was murdering him - Hermione was next to Ron absorbed in yet another book. Dean and Seamus were sitting on the couch, trying to do some sort of essay, while Lavendar and Parvati lurked nearby, flipping through various magazines. Neville was sitting on the bottom step leading to the boys dormitories, absorbed in a book as well - a Herbology book of course. Luna Lovegod was again reading the Quibbler upside down; oblivious to all the stares directed her way. Ginny smiled to herself, she had really grown to like Luna over the year, and she noticed that Harry had grown quite close to her too, which made Ginny like Luna even more. The reason being that Luna understood Harry in a way that everyone else didn't, including her, and she knew that he needed someone like that.
Speaking of needing people, Harry had been hanging around her more, but Ginny knew his actions were purely platonic. She could tell it was so just by the way he spoke to her. He had this ease about him that she equated with his friendship with Ron and Hermione. And that was fine. Ginny was overjoyed that she was even being included in his life this much, and that she meant something to him! Being considered a dear friend was much more endearing then being considered just the "little sister". In fact, though her relationship with Dean was over - he was now dating Paravati - Ginny had no desire to be involved with anyone, including Harry. She was happy as she was, probably for the first time in her life.
She glanced at the large calendar on the wall - shocked to see that it was pinned on the month of April. She could hardly believe that the year was almost over - only three months, including this one until it was all over! Surprisingly, nothing had happened - nothing terrible anyway. Voldemort had stayed quiet, and not so much as one whisper had been uttered about him all year. The Death Eaters had not been talked about either. No killings had taken place, no abductions - it was like they weren't really there, like that day in the Department of Mysteries had never even taken place! But she knew that it had. They all did, and they all knew that it was only a matter of time until something else happened - something huge.
Not wanting to think about it Ginny stood up, and seeing that the chess game was over she asked, "Can I play?"
"Sure, play Harry though - I'm done for tonight." Ron said.
"Want to Harry?" Ginny asked him.
He was already setting up the pieces, "Only if I get to be white!"
" 'Course," she said and settled in to play.
She lost but not by much. When the game had finished Harry went up to bed, and Ron followed. Hermione and Ginny were then the only people left in the Common Room, everyone else having retired sometime during the chess match. Ginny sat down beside Hermione, "So," she said, "how've you been?"
Hermione set her book down gently, "Fine I suppose - how well can I be with things as they are?"
Now, Ginny knew from experience that Hermione was not usually this depressing. Hermione was normally the one to look on the bright side- to find the solutions. Not the one who sat around and moped. However, ever since last year she had become much more serious than usual, and even quieter. Lately, she had even taking to withdrawing herself into novels - and schoolwork - as if to avoid having to speak to anyone. Ginny tried to talk but at Hermione's first refusals Ginny usually let it drop. Harry let her alone completely - he didn't even try talking about it. Ron, on the other hand, was constantly badgering her about her "antisocial tendencies" until she gave up and screamed at him to go away. This took place frequently - last night had been their most recent row.
Ginny was jolted out of her reverie suddenly by the sound of crying. She looked over at Hermione in shock, "What's the matter?"
Hermione shook her head, which indicated, "I don't want to tell you."
"Hermione come on - you've been acting strange a lot this year. You've been quiet and depressed and you know what - Ron's right, it can't be very healthy." At the sound of his name Ginny swore Hermione cried a bit harder.
"O-Ok" she said, "You really want to know what's bothering me?" she sniffed.
"Yes, Hermione please tell me. I want to help you - I won't laugh or anything I promise, even if you think it's something really stupid - I bet I've felt it too."
"I-I -I can't tell you Ginny -you'd think I'm crazy!"
"Ok then," Ginny said, "I'll just have to guess. I'll name things, and you nod if that's what's bothering you. Is it school? Prefect duties?"
Hermione didn't move.
"Umm. The D.A.? You know - V-V- HIM?"
Hermione nodded a bit, "Yeah -but there's more to it." She said, her tears subsiding.
"OK," Ginny tried to think of things that tied in with all that, " Oh! Does it have to do with Harry? Or Ron?"
"Yes -stop." She said.
"Ok, well now I know that all this has to do with the D.A., Ron and Harry, and well -HIM." As much as Ginny wanted to she still couldn't say the name out loud, "Well, come on, tell me."
Hermione took a breath, "It's just -I'm really scared. Ginny, I know something is going to happen soon - something huge, I can feel it -I just can. And then what if something happens to you - or Harry -or Ron?" She said Ron's name shakier than the others, something Ginny found suspicious.
"Hermione?"
"Yeah?"
"This isn't just about the pending war is it? Because you know, everyone feels like this -I certainly do - and to be blunt, nobody else is sitting here crying about it. I've always seen you as stronger than all that -no -this is deeper isn't it? This has to do with Ron doesn't it? Hermione don't lie to me - with the way you just said his name, I'd say this has got a lot to do with him - doesn't it?"
Hermione looked on the verge of tears again, "Fine!" she cried, "Fine! It does have something to do with him -happy now?"
Trying as hard as she could not to laugh at Hermione's sudden angry outburst, Ginny pressed her a bit further, "What? What does he have to do with anything?"
"It's just - Ginny, I HATE fighting with him so much. It's just like third year, when all we ever did was fight about Scabbers - I don't want to repeat that again. And I hate yelling at him like that - you don't see his face - I do. You don't see his eyes either! And I can see it in his face how much I hurt him every time I yell, his eyes turn such a sad gray color- Harry leaves me alone, why won't he?"
Ginny was surprised. She had always thought Hermione felt more for Ron than she let on, the same going for him as well - but here she was, crying, and practically admitting it to her -his sister! Ginny knew she had to say something, so she thought up the most comforting thing she could think of, "Well, Hermione, Ron only does that because he cares about you -a lot." There, that was nice and general, yet, the a lot added some emphasis Ginny concluded.
"So?" Hermione scoffed, "You and Harry care about me too, though Harry never says it -well actually neither does Ron - but you two don't bother me! I don't get it! I mean does he want to fight or something?"
"No, I'm sure he doesn't." Ginny smiled, "Don't you know that's just how Ron is? He got that from Mum I think. He's very protective Hermione - you saw how he was with that letter Dean wrote me remember? And he doesn't like seeing people unhappy -especially you."
Hermione opened her mouth and then closed it. She seemed to be speechless.
"Hermione," Ginny reached out and took her hand, " I think what you're going through is perfectly normal - and I think you should tell Ron."
"Tell Ron what? Ginny, what are you on about?"
"You should tell him how you feel. I know you feel more than friendship for him Hermione, otherwise you wouldn't be crying over him!" Before she could jump in Ginny continued, "And that's fine -really! Frankly, I'd rather him be with you than any other girl in this whole school! And, things being as they are -I think you should tell Ron how you feel about him - who knows how things will be around here in a few days? And," she added trying to be funny, "We both know Ron's a bit thick."
"But- but -you never told Harry!" Hermione cried out.
"Yes, because he already knew, thanks to my wonderful brothers - and my stupid singing card - AND, telling him would have been useless seeing as he didn't feel the way about me as Ron does about you."
Hermione nodded, she seemed to have come to an internal decision, "All right then, " she sighed, "If you think it's best I'll do it."
"Good girl!" Ginny said and hugged her, " I do think it's best -because Hermione I really do think that he cares for you."
Hermione returned the hug and then got to her feet, not saying a word about Ginny's last sentence, " Oh my -it's two o'clock!"
"Oh damn! I've got a Charms test tomorrow!"
"And you didn't study!" Hermione looked scandalized.
"Well, sometimes my friends have more pressing issues I need to attend to." Ginny smiled and made her way up the stairs, "Coming to bed?"
"Not just yet. I have to - think. Ginny?" Hermione called after her.
"Yeah?" She said turning around from the top step.
"Thanks."
"No problem." And then she was gone.
Hermione settled herself down on the couch, placing one of the pillows behind her head. She lay down on her side, her legs slightly bent and curled inward towards her. She lay staring into the fire, trying to think. Maybe Ginny was right; maybe Ron really did feel that way about her. And telling him would be her answer - but it was too late tonight. She yawned loudly, then whispered to herself, "But tomorrow is another day - another chance." And this time she was going to take it.
~*~
A/N: I know, this is quite OCC for Hermione and I'm sorry! That's just how it came out! More is on the way!
~*~
Ginny looked out the Common Room windows at the pouring rain. Her vision was horribly blurred due to the large amount of streaking on the windows from the rain and the most she could make out was Hagrid's cabin. It looked very lonely, sitting out there among the large grounds. With a sigh Ginny slumped down in one of the overstuffed armchairs scattered all about the room. She was exhausted. This year had been hard for her, what with O.W.L.S on the way, Qudditch practice - she had been chosen as a Chaser - and all the extra meetings of the D.A.
Thankfully, they had not disbanded as they had been ordered to under Professor Umbridge last year. Rather they had gotten larger, and they had gone public. Dumbledore and the teachers knew, and they actually encouraged Harry's teachings! Almost all the students were involved with the D.A. now and they no longer had to use the Room of Requirement. Dumbledore graciously allowed them to use the Great Hall - due their large number - and he stocked it with whatever necessities he believed would help them. Ginny's heart swelled with pride whenever she thought about the D.A. It was such a privilege to support Dumbledore this way - being his army. She was so proud of all that were with her, and she marveled at their increasing skills. The group met two times a week, usually Monday and Saturday evenings.
Ginny looked around the room in silence, content to just think and observe. Ron and Harry were to her right, playing chess, and Ron was murdering him - Hermione was next to Ron absorbed in yet another book. Dean and Seamus were sitting on the couch, trying to do some sort of essay, while Lavendar and Parvati lurked nearby, flipping through various magazines. Neville was sitting on the bottom step leading to the boys dormitories, absorbed in a book as well - a Herbology book of course. Luna Lovegod was again reading the Quibbler upside down; oblivious to all the stares directed her way. Ginny smiled to herself, she had really grown to like Luna over the year, and she noticed that Harry had grown quite close to her too, which made Ginny like Luna even more. The reason being that Luna understood Harry in a way that everyone else didn't, including her, and she knew that he needed someone like that.
Speaking of needing people, Harry had been hanging around her more, but Ginny knew his actions were purely platonic. She could tell it was so just by the way he spoke to her. He had this ease about him that she equated with his friendship with Ron and Hermione. And that was fine. Ginny was overjoyed that she was even being included in his life this much, and that she meant something to him! Being considered a dear friend was much more endearing then being considered just the "little sister". In fact, though her relationship with Dean was over - he was now dating Paravati - Ginny had no desire to be involved with anyone, including Harry. She was happy as she was, probably for the first time in her life.
She glanced at the large calendar on the wall - shocked to see that it was pinned on the month of April. She could hardly believe that the year was almost over - only three months, including this one until it was all over! Surprisingly, nothing had happened - nothing terrible anyway. Voldemort had stayed quiet, and not so much as one whisper had been uttered about him all year. The Death Eaters had not been talked about either. No killings had taken place, no abductions - it was like they weren't really there, like that day in the Department of Mysteries had never even taken place! But she knew that it had. They all did, and they all knew that it was only a matter of time until something else happened - something huge.
Not wanting to think about it Ginny stood up, and seeing that the chess game was over she asked, "Can I play?"
"Sure, play Harry though - I'm done for tonight." Ron said.
"Want to Harry?" Ginny asked him.
He was already setting up the pieces, "Only if I get to be white!"
" 'Course," she said and settled in to play.
She lost but not by much. When the game had finished Harry went up to bed, and Ron followed. Hermione and Ginny were then the only people left in the Common Room, everyone else having retired sometime during the chess match. Ginny sat down beside Hermione, "So," she said, "how've you been?"
Hermione set her book down gently, "Fine I suppose - how well can I be with things as they are?"
Now, Ginny knew from experience that Hermione was not usually this depressing. Hermione was normally the one to look on the bright side- to find the solutions. Not the one who sat around and moped. However, ever since last year she had become much more serious than usual, and even quieter. Lately, she had even taking to withdrawing herself into novels - and schoolwork - as if to avoid having to speak to anyone. Ginny tried to talk but at Hermione's first refusals Ginny usually let it drop. Harry let her alone completely - he didn't even try talking about it. Ron, on the other hand, was constantly badgering her about her "antisocial tendencies" until she gave up and screamed at him to go away. This took place frequently - last night had been their most recent row.
Ginny was jolted out of her reverie suddenly by the sound of crying. She looked over at Hermione in shock, "What's the matter?"
Hermione shook her head, which indicated, "I don't want to tell you."
"Hermione come on - you've been acting strange a lot this year. You've been quiet and depressed and you know what - Ron's right, it can't be very healthy." At the sound of his name Ginny swore Hermione cried a bit harder.
"O-Ok" she said, "You really want to know what's bothering me?" she sniffed.
"Yes, Hermione please tell me. I want to help you - I won't laugh or anything I promise, even if you think it's something really stupid - I bet I've felt it too."
"I-I -I can't tell you Ginny -you'd think I'm crazy!"
"Ok then," Ginny said, "I'll just have to guess. I'll name things, and you nod if that's what's bothering you. Is it school? Prefect duties?"
Hermione didn't move.
"Umm. The D.A.? You know - V-V- HIM?"
Hermione nodded a bit, "Yeah -but there's more to it." She said, her tears subsiding.
"OK," Ginny tried to think of things that tied in with all that, " Oh! Does it have to do with Harry? Or Ron?"
"Yes -stop." She said.
"Ok, well now I know that all this has to do with the D.A., Ron and Harry, and well -HIM." As much as Ginny wanted to she still couldn't say the name out loud, "Well, come on, tell me."
Hermione took a breath, "It's just -I'm really scared. Ginny, I know something is going to happen soon - something huge, I can feel it -I just can. And then what if something happens to you - or Harry -or Ron?" She said Ron's name shakier than the others, something Ginny found suspicious.
"Hermione?"
"Yeah?"
"This isn't just about the pending war is it? Because you know, everyone feels like this -I certainly do - and to be blunt, nobody else is sitting here crying about it. I've always seen you as stronger than all that -no -this is deeper isn't it? This has to do with Ron doesn't it? Hermione don't lie to me - with the way you just said his name, I'd say this has got a lot to do with him - doesn't it?"
Hermione looked on the verge of tears again, "Fine!" she cried, "Fine! It does have something to do with him -happy now?"
Trying as hard as she could not to laugh at Hermione's sudden angry outburst, Ginny pressed her a bit further, "What? What does he have to do with anything?"
"It's just - Ginny, I HATE fighting with him so much. It's just like third year, when all we ever did was fight about Scabbers - I don't want to repeat that again. And I hate yelling at him like that - you don't see his face - I do. You don't see his eyes either! And I can see it in his face how much I hurt him every time I yell, his eyes turn such a sad gray color- Harry leaves me alone, why won't he?"
Ginny was surprised. She had always thought Hermione felt more for Ron than she let on, the same going for him as well - but here she was, crying, and practically admitting it to her -his sister! Ginny knew she had to say something, so she thought up the most comforting thing she could think of, "Well, Hermione, Ron only does that because he cares about you -a lot." There, that was nice and general, yet, the a lot added some emphasis Ginny concluded.
"So?" Hermione scoffed, "You and Harry care about me too, though Harry never says it -well actually neither does Ron - but you two don't bother me! I don't get it! I mean does he want to fight or something?"
"No, I'm sure he doesn't." Ginny smiled, "Don't you know that's just how Ron is? He got that from Mum I think. He's very protective Hermione - you saw how he was with that letter Dean wrote me remember? And he doesn't like seeing people unhappy -especially you."
Hermione opened her mouth and then closed it. She seemed to be speechless.
"Hermione," Ginny reached out and took her hand, " I think what you're going through is perfectly normal - and I think you should tell Ron."
"Tell Ron what? Ginny, what are you on about?"
"You should tell him how you feel. I know you feel more than friendship for him Hermione, otherwise you wouldn't be crying over him!" Before she could jump in Ginny continued, "And that's fine -really! Frankly, I'd rather him be with you than any other girl in this whole school! And, things being as they are -I think you should tell Ron how you feel about him - who knows how things will be around here in a few days? And," she added trying to be funny, "We both know Ron's a bit thick."
"But- but -you never told Harry!" Hermione cried out.
"Yes, because he already knew, thanks to my wonderful brothers - and my stupid singing card - AND, telling him would have been useless seeing as he didn't feel the way about me as Ron does about you."
Hermione nodded, she seemed to have come to an internal decision, "All right then, " she sighed, "If you think it's best I'll do it."
"Good girl!" Ginny said and hugged her, " I do think it's best -because Hermione I really do think that he cares for you."
Hermione returned the hug and then got to her feet, not saying a word about Ginny's last sentence, " Oh my -it's two o'clock!"
"Oh damn! I've got a Charms test tomorrow!"
"And you didn't study!" Hermione looked scandalized.
"Well, sometimes my friends have more pressing issues I need to attend to." Ginny smiled and made her way up the stairs, "Coming to bed?"
"Not just yet. I have to - think. Ginny?" Hermione called after her.
"Yeah?" She said turning around from the top step.
"Thanks."
"No problem." And then she was gone.
Hermione settled herself down on the couch, placing one of the pillows behind her head. She lay down on her side, her legs slightly bent and curled inward towards her. She lay staring into the fire, trying to think. Maybe Ginny was right; maybe Ron really did feel that way about her. And telling him would be her answer - but it was too late tonight. She yawned loudly, then whispered to herself, "But tomorrow is another day - another chance." And this time she was going to take it.
~*~
A/N: I know, this is quite OCC for Hermione and I'm sorry! That's just how it came out! More is on the way!