Hello, all! I'm sorry I didn't update on Monday like I usually do. I went to Jingle Ball and saw the lovely Selena Gomez in concert and got home quite late and totally forgot about the existence of my fanfic account until just now. Do forgive me.
Also, I believe I forgot a disclaimer in my last chapter. Clearly, I am not a goddess like JKR. I don't own anything in this story but the plot.
"Gin? You know that song you were playing?" Ginny nodded. "Can you play it again? Just much, much quieter this time, please." Ginny stopped eating, her fork-full of food half-way to her mouth. "Ginny?" Hermione spoke after Ginny hadn't moved.
"What? Oh, sure...sure..." Ginny waved her wand slightly and the song started over again. Hermione listened to the lyrics, cringing every now and again, but she seemed to get used to the noise.
"Ginny, I grew up with muggles and even I don't know what's he's talking about."
"Nor do I, but it's a catchy song. James started playing it the other day and it got stuck in my head." Hermione twitched at this and Ginny couldn't tell if it was because of the song or because Ginny had mentioned her son – Hermione's nephew. The song came to a close and Hermione sighed.
"It's been so long since I've listened to any sort of music," Hermione said more to herself than to her companion.
"Well that wasn't the greatest thing to start you off with," Ginny said with a snort as she cleared the table.
"No, I suppose not," Hermione said, nodding thoughtfully.
"You asked for it though," Ginny said with a bit of a grin.
"What else?"
"Hmm?" Ginny hummed, not sure what Hermione was asking.
"What...what other music..." Ginny understood what Hermione was trying to say.
"How about something a little quieter, 'Mione. Like...The Weepies." With a wave of her wand, Living in Twilight started to play quietly through the kitchen.
You look darkly on the day
With memories to light your way
A little sad but it's alright
We are always living in twilight
"Ginny, are you playing this song on purpose?" Hermione asked.
"No, it's just the first thing that popped into my head. Why?" Ginny asked, turning from the kitchen window to look at her friend. Hermione just shook her head and didn't respond.
No one knocks upon your door
Until you don't care anymore
A little alone but it's alright
We are always living in twilight
One lone tear slid down Hermione's cheek as she continued to listen to the lyrics and take them to heart.
Living in a dream, walking in between the sunrise and sunset
Living in a dream, walking in between sunset and sunrise
You get tied up in your day
So I let go and walk away
And now we're loose ends of the night
We are always living in twilight
Ginny had been silently watching Hermione and decided that her friend might want some kind of comfort. Ginny walked across the room and plopped down onto the floor by Hermione's chair and just leaned her head against the older girl's leg, taking one of her hands in her own for the second time that day.
Living in a dream, walking in between the sunrise and sunset
Living in a dream, walking in between sunset and sunrise
So it goes, though no one knows you like they used to do
Have a drink the sky is sinking toward a deeper blue
And you're still alright
Step out into twilight
So I stumble home at night
Like I've stumbled through my life
With ghosts and visions in my sight
We are always living in twilight
Once the song was over, Ginny could feel Hermione's tears that had trickled down her cheeks and onto their hands. Both women sat that way for a long time, listening to the silence of the house and taking comfort in each other's presence. After a while, Ginny spoke.
"'Mione, it's a bit dark in here, don't you think?" Ginny asked. Not expecting a response, the redhead waved her wand and tiny lights flew out of it, illuminating the kitchen in what looked like falling stars. "How about a better song, hmm?" the younger girl suggested, waving her wand again. Hermione stopped her hand mid-wave.
"If you play Walking on Sunshine, I swear to Merlin-" The last bit of Hermione's threat was drowned out by Ginny's laughter.
"No, Hermione, I think not. Hmm, how about-"
"Nothing sad either, please, Gin," Hermione said quietly.
"You don't have much confidence in my taste in music, 'Mione dear," Ginny said, frowning slightly. Hermione tried to smile but it was more like a grimace. Ginny tapped her wand on her chin, deep in thought. "How happy is too happy and how sad is too sad?" she asked the brunette.
"Just pick something, Ginny. I just...I just want to feel better."
I'm not leaving this damned little cottage until I make her laugh, Ginny thought.
"Alright, you've got to make an effort on this one," Ginny said, grabbing Hermione's hands and pulling her up from the chair as the first few notes from All Around the World by ATC started playing throughout the kitchen.
"Ginny, what-"
"Come on, Hermione. Loosen up a bit," Ginny said, smiling as she lifted her's and Hermione's conjoined hands and twirled herself around.
"I-I don't-"
"You never were much of a dancer," Ginny muttered. "Must I do everything for you, love?" Ginny asked before picking Hermione up by her waist and twirling her around in a circle. Hermione screeched as her feet left the ground.
"Ginevra!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Have a little fun, 'Mione," Ginny said, flashing her friend a wide smile. Ginny grabbed Hermione's hands again and moved them about in an effort to get Hermione to dance. For Ginny it was a bit like dancing with a disgruntled rag doll. As Ginny picked Hermione up again and twirled her around, she noticed how skinny Hermione had really become. All she could feel was her ribs. She made a mental note to come and check up on her friend more often. Meanwhile, she thought of ways she could make the brunette laugh.
With a chuckle she let go of Hermione and danced a bit away from her, twirling about. She quickly pulled the ponytail out of her hair and bent over and fluffed her hair out before quickly whipping back up to a standing position and singing off-key into her wand in the most ridiculous way possible. After a few lines, she chanced a glance at Hermione who wore a lopsided, but sincere smile on her face. Ginny crooked her finger and beckoned the older girl closer. Hermione hesitated only a moment before taking Ginny's hand and allowing the redhead to take both of her hands and dance with her. Hermione's smile kept growing as Ginny attempted to execute complicated dance moves that her kids did all the time and ended up making a fool of herself. At one point, the younger girl tried some kind of dance move that came straight out of the '80s and something popped. She stayed in the same position for a moment and then glanced at Hermione.
"I think I'm getting a bit old for this," Ginny said, grimacing and pulling her shoulder back into place with a snap. Hermione's smile faltered a bit at her friend's pain but Ginny recovered quickly and scooped Hermione up, twirling her around the living room until they both collapsed on the sofa. Ginny was laughing hysterically and Hermione was sort of half-wheezing, half-laughing. Ginny smiled at her success while the song came to a close.
"Would you like another song?" Ginny asked between pants. She was a little winded as well.
"Something quiet?" Hermione suggested. Ginny nodded and waved her wand again. Come Here Boy by Imogen Heap played quietly throughout the living room. Ginny got up from the couch and threw another log on the fire.
"'Mione? I'm going to give Harry a quick call, alright?" Ginny said, taking her cell from her jeans pocket and brushing Hermione's unruly hair behind her ear before leaving the room and walking into the kitchen again. She dialed her husband's number and the phone rang twice before someone picked up.
Please, for the love of Merlin, review. I have no idea if anyone even likes this story.