This Is The Day

Part Two

Bill and Fleur arrive just before lunch and Ginny is glad that the preparation of food once again acts as a diversion from all the things she doesn't want to think about. She's putting an apple pie in the oven when Ron corners her. He waits for her to set the timer before grabbing her firmly by the arm and escorting her outside.

"Ron, what are you doing?" She rubs the skin above her elbow where his grip dug in.

He does a final check to make sure no one is around to overhear before he gets right to the point. "Gin, I never thought I would say this, but would you and Harry just snap out of it!"

It's like he has punched her in the stomach and all the air is knocked out of her. She gives him a sharp look, willing him not to continue but he ignores this, knowing things have gone on long enough.

"There was a time," he tells her, "when I thought it would be better if my best friend did not court my sister but it has come to the point when I'm starting to think that it's preferable!" His speech builds up to a crescendo as he runs out of breath.

Ginny snorts at the word 'court' and prepares herself to bring her brother down off his high horse. "That's an incredibly long sentence, Ron. You've been spending too much time with Hermione."

"Don't change the subject," he scolds.

"I don't want to talk about this." She bows her head, unable to meet his gaze.

"Well, you've got to talk to someone! Sitting alone in the orchard crying your eyes out doesn't solve anything!"

Ginny looks up from staring at the floor. "You've been spying on me?" she accuses, looking incredulous.

"It was fairly obvious, Gin."

Silence falls upon the siblings. Ron glares at Ginny. She can't work out why he's so mad. Surely, of all people, he is the one who should understand? She can't say anything out loud while Harry is all wound up in knots: unable to tie his own shoe laces, jumping at the doorbell, frowning all the time and touching his scar when he thinks no one is looking.

Tears prickle at the corners of her eyes as she thinks about him, a shadow of his former self. She had been so scared for him, knowing that his death was as likely as his survival. When he'd come out of it alive, she'd been so relieved that she hadn't been able to think straight. She'd thrown her arms around him in happiness but he'd winced from his injuries and pulled away. It was then that she had noticed the change in him, no longer blind to the transition he'd gone through in their year apart. He was changed irreversibly by the things he'd seen and the things he'd experienced.

Ginny raises a hand to her face, surprised to find them wet as tears course down, out of her control. She looks to Ron. He doesn't seem to know what to do, shifting his feet uncomfortably. But he softens under her helpless gaze and brings her into an awkward hug.

"Oh, Gin," he sighs. "I thought you were stronger than this!"

She lets out another sob. "It's just that I missed him."

"I know." Ron pats her back, trying to be comforting.

"And I miss him now. He's different. Haven't you noticed? Does no one else see?" Her voice fails to hide the accusation.

"Of course I've noticed. And of course he's different. So are you. It's been quite a year for you as well. No wonder you're so emotional all the time."

She snorts, realising that Ron is right. She always used to be stronger than this. Before, she'd hardly ever shed a tear, let alone a bucket load.

Ron lets go of her as her sobs become less violent. She sniffs, wiping her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"He missed you too, you know," her brother tells her. "When we were away."

"I know that," she replies immediately. Then she pauses, wondering if it's entirely true. "Well, I think I know that," she corrects herself. "Maybe I'm just hoping he did."

Ron smiles. "No, he did. Believe me." He gives a short laugh and she wonders why. "Every night he'd get out the Marauders Map," Ron remembers. "He used to tell me he was checking on Snape but he spent more time tracing your name in the girls' dormitory."

This knowledge gives Ginny a strange sensation. Like her insides are warming up after she's just swallowed a hot drink. She finds she's able to smile, remembering those long nights for herself. "I was thinking of him too," she tells her brother, a nostalgic note in her voice. "Lying there in the girls' dormitory."

He looks uncomfortable. "Don't get all mushy on me. I'm not good with these sorts of things."

She laughs and it sounds odd to her ears. She realises this is because she hasn't heard it in a while. She tries it again. And the sound makes her laugh even more.

Ron looks at her like she's crazy. "Are you hysterical?" he asks.

She collapses into uncontrollable giggles. "Yes!" she tells him between giggles. "Yes, quite possibly I am!" She laughs louder and louder and all Ron can do is watch, stunned.

The noise brings Mrs Weasley to the window. "What's all this fuss about?" she calls down to them. Ginny is laughing too much to answer.

"Ginny's having a nervous breakdown. It's fine!" Ron replies.

Mrs Weasley rolls her eyes, unconcerned, and shuts the window. Ginny looks up at where her mother had been, only noticing now that another window is open: the one at the top of the house where Ron's room is. And there is a head poking out of it and looking down upon them.

This sobers Ginny up instantly, like having icy cold water tipped over her head. She stares up at him, wondering what he thinks of her outburst. She realises that he must hate her for laughing and sounding happy when he is going through hell. She hates herself for losing grip on reality.

But then she notices something. He's smiling. And it isn't the usual smile he pulls out these days when necessary: forced, strained and like it pains him to do it. This was a real smile. Before Ginny knows it, she is smiling back. There's a lump in her throat but the ice in her chest thaws a little.

"Hey Ginny!"

A familiar voice breaks the first tranquil moment they've shared in months. Harry looks away, over her head and towards the approaching figure. Ginny turns around just in time to see Hagrid stagger through the tiny gate with a bit too much force. The gate wobbles on its broken hinges and falls to the ground. She smiles to herself, knowing all too well how easily the gate can break from the occasions when she had flounced through it a little too dramatically.

Hagrid props the gate back up and joins Ginny on the lawn. It's only then that she realises Ron has disappeared. She hadn't noticed him go. She looks up to the window but it is shut once again. She tries to quench the disappointed feeling.

Taking a deep breath, she steadies herself.

"Hi Hagrid!" She greets their guest with controlled cheerfulness. "Come on in. Mum has been expecting you."