CHAPTER 2
Previously: "What is it about Ron, aside from being your best mate that you approve of for your sister?"………
"Why did you ignore your so-called sister and opted to check your girlfriend's red dot instead?"……..
"Hermione, what's wrong? Why were you crying?" George asked for the first time.
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The Sun shone through the small bedroom of THE BURROW where we find a small figure of a one Hermione Granger deep in thought. How long she has done that you wouldn't know, but from the looks of it she hasn't done much since opening her eyes. She was remembering the night's conversation she had with one George Weasley.
--FLASHBACK--
"Hermione, what's wrong?" George asked concerned.
"Oh George" she grabbed his hand and away, barely stifling tears.
"Come on Hermione, you can tell me, I'm right here you know." He said
"Everything is just so, so wrong. This is the time when we are supposed to have our ever after, but it is just so wrong." She cried freely after that and George stood up and sat next to her pulling her into a tight hug.
"Yes I know that it's over. We are supposed to be happy now, the big bad Voldy is gone and though that is a cause for celebration, it's just not what I thought I feel after." She said pulling out of that hug with her breathing less erratic plus with less tears. George sat there listening to her, what she was saying rang true to him too but he let her continue.
"Everyone is moving on with their lives and if not, they are at least trying to. They have a purpose now when they wake up in the morning, whether it is rebuilding their homes, coming back from hiding, catching up with friends, looking for jobs, you name it. But I just don't have a clue what to do."
"I don't know what to do with my life George. My parents are in freaking Australia and my supposed best friends have abandoned me since I refused to date his best mate and brother! Wasn't surviving this war also supposed to bring us all closer? Shouldn't I be with my 'best' friends right now, being supported by family and friends while being supportive? I know that I am wallowing in self pity right now but shouldn't I be? When will it be my turn to be consoled by Harry and Ron? We were alone the whole of last year and yet after I refuse Ron its Bam! I'm not their best friend anymore.
I mean, was I their 'best friend' simply because they needed one? Now that there's no school, no horcrux hunt, no Hogwarts with its mysteries that needed some library time, now that they don't need any warnings, they are through with me. Is that all that I am good for? Just to be needed, to be the brain, the rule enforcer, problem-solver, the strong supporter, the spell encyclopedia, the nagging mother-hen, and the instant shoulder? Is that all I am?
When did I stop becoming Hermione the friend? Actually have I ever truly been friend, a girl? Did they ever actually want me or have I been tolerated simply because I was needed? Or worse did they put up with me simply because of guilt?"
Fresh tears followed after that tirade as she clung onto George like her life depended on him. At that moment it probably did. George sat there, rubbing circles on her back trying to bring some comfort to this disconsolate girl holding on to him. The girl that normally had such strength and vigor, even during the darkest of times seemed to exude such faith in the cause that it was difficult to not believe in the good defeating evil. The girl who had such passion for knowledge and followed authority and being exemplary to the younger ones but would throw that away the moment someone's life was in danger.
The girl that was so easy to rile up with one of their pranks and have her reciting the dangers they were posing such that he and F-Fred measured their product's popularity by the kind of reaction she gives. This woman he was consoling was defeated, not by Voldy-shorts but by the one thing she had complete trust in, her friendship.
"Hermione, I don't know what happened today to make it all seem to come down on you but you are a great friend. Perhaps the one person that is better than all of us in the Wizarding world. Just don't be disheartened okay, no matter what happens there are two people who want you, need you yes, but also want you. I do want you Hermione, I need you too but I also want to be your friend. You also have to want yourself; I'm still struggling with that part. But having you here during our ice cream rendezvous has helped me, I feel less alone. I hope you know that you are also not alone. I mean I don't know where the ice cream goes since I just eat two scoops, unless there's ghost in here somewhere"
He said all this while staring at her with intense earnest honesty, none that he has ever displayed before except to Fred. The shared a comfortable silence after that munching ice cream while processing what has just occurred. They finished eating and decided that it was time go to sleep, if it came that is.
--END FLASHBACK--
With that new memory in her archive, a small but noticeable smile tug her lips and she decided to wake up. She looked around the room and realized that it was almost eleven, the room was empty save for her and that she had had the best sleep since the whole Voldermort fiasco started. Oh, and that she was also hungry.
One hour later she came downstairs, not with the usual bounce of old, not with the robotic post-war walk but she finally was healing and it showed, if you look that is, and that is how she found the kitchen. She set herself some breakfast and dug in
"Oh Hermione dear, didn't think you were here. Thought you left with the others" Molly Weasley bustled into the kitchen from the garden, armed and ready to prepare dinner.
"Others, left? Where did the go? Who left?" Hermione answered obviously confused.
"Mione, hello, lo mum" that was George making himself some cereal also.
"George, you're here also. Well I might as well tell you and save myself some further explanation. Ginny, Harry and Ron said they were going out. I thought they would wake you up but I guess they didn't want to wake you. I'm not sure but I think I heard them mention some Brown girl or something. Arthur of course, is at the Ministry with Percy. That's just about it. Well do enjoy your breakfast dears and get some fresh air." And in true Molly fashion she headed out of the room mumbling about a recipe that had something to do with dinner.
"So Hermione, what do you reckon we should now, and please don't suggest reading." George said trying to joke around but then remembered last night's conversation and hastily turned to her and saw her ghostly white.
"Tell you what, I have something in mind that we could try and then we'll read together afterwards, what you say?" he said trying get himself out of the hole he was in.
She looked really thoughtful after that and he was starting to think that he messed up big when she smiled and said "As long as we spend an hour reading, I'll even give you the book so be sure it won't be about quiditch." "Deal" and he gave her his first honest grin. He hurried upstairs for something after tidying up and they went outside.
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"George, tell me that broom is not meant for me, that you just want to test it out because I am not getting on that thing." Hermione said, eyeing the other broom that he held.
"Come on mione, I know you like quiditch, maybe not as gung ho as the rest of us but it wouldn't hurt to try it. Beside, we are doing what I love and then I'll do what you love after. That was part of the deal right?" He gave a very cheeky grin after that.
She had to admit that he did have a point, and there is one thing about her that she would never lose, that would be keeping her word.
"You caught me but you won't have to teach me." And with that she grabbed the broom, hopped on and stared at George, "Well? You going to stand there or are we riding to that pitch of yours?"
That snapped George out of his stupor and off they went to the pitch. He was worried about her in the beginning, having never seen her on a broom before and having heard her vehemently telling both Ron and Harry that she hated quiditch. They reached the pitch and got off the brooms.
"Whoa Hermione! You fly well, and I thought you hated flying and quiditch. When did you learn to fly and who taught you?" he asked, catching his breath and displaying both awe and shock on his face.
"Well I learned during 6th year when I was feeling particularly down, Terry Boot taught me. He also is not a fanatic of quiditch but he does like it. He found after I was embarrassed in the common room about my lack of quiditch enthusiasm." She explained.
"Boot? He taught you? Wow, I never would have pegged him for that. Wait, you felt down enough to actually learn how to fly? There is definitely something you not telling me. Come on lets catch a breather while you tell me who embarrassed you that much. Matter of fact; tell me about your 6th year, not Harry and Ron's sixth year, but yours. I mean it Hermione, please tell me." He asked her.
"Fine I'll tell you. After the DOM fiasco, I got very scared. I mean yeah we managed to get the bad guys and all but I got hit with a very dangerous curse. I mean the others were hurt and all but not life threatening injuries resulting from a curse. I was the only one. Luna and Ginny got a few scrapes and a sprained ankle, Ron got brains and clumsy Neville only got a broken nose.
But I, the smartest witch with tons of hexes in my arsenal got hit worst. That's to say I was feeling very insecure about my use to Harry in the battle and hunt. I mean it just showed me that I am no good in the field and my only use is to be stuck in the library.
Then Harry gets a book that teaches him so much more in potions and he no longer needs me to help him there, he refused to at least check if those methods weren't dangerous and everyone pegged my being crossed with him as my simply being jealous that he got high marks.
Yes I was peeved that he got better marks but that was simply because he didn't work for them. I spend tons of time in the library working on the understanding the ingredients and brewing the potion but he just gets shortcuts, so excuse me if that didn't hurt my already low esteem.
Ginny completely humiliates me in front of the whole house saying 'Don't even start about quiditch, you'll only embarrass yourself', and both of them don't even reassure me on anything. Harry was simply grateful to her for rescuing him.
Then Ron is oblivious that I exist or that I am interested in him and simply is having a good time, neglects his duties and has no sense of decency when snogging Lav lav, I just lost it.
I mean didn't they want to know what was going on with me? Or did they not care about me since they didn't need me. It just came down on that I was alone and useless. Nobody wanted to be my friend; they just needed me fro my brain.
So during one of my patrols I asked Terry if he knew how to fly, he said he could teach me and he did. It was just what I needed to step away from the castle and just be. When I conquered my fear of heights and took off into the sky, it was indescribable. In the air I wasn't the bookworm or the brains of the TRIO. I wasn't a prefect or anything. I was just me, whoever that was.
I didn't tell them anything because Ron would just not understand and be pretty insensitive about it while Harry was already dealing with so much. Ginny and I just didn't click at that point so I was pretty much on my own.
So that was how my 6th year was."
George just stared at her, he had no idea she felt that way. How could they allow her to even feel that way? He always had Fred so he knew someone was always there for him, someone knew him but her. He definitely respected her at that moment
"I had no idea Hermione. You always seem so happy and content that I never even thought you had any problems. I mean you were confident, in control and smiling. I guess I always placed you as perfect that nothing would get you down and it always seemed that nothing did. We looked up to you, Fred and I, your defiance to being put down all these years and sill holding your head up high, I guess we admired that.
Even with Skeeter's article, you never faltered, the S.P.E.W thing, you've always been you that I guess you were indestructible in our eyes. If only we looked deeper ha? Your idea of the DA actually inspired us to give our final show and leave Hogwarts. So don't feel that you are alone Hermione, so Ron and Harry didn't notice, you have plenty friends Hermione. Maybe they all thing you are perfect too and feel you don't need them. Think about it would you.
Oh and you brought a picnic, how thoughtful of you. Good thing too because I'm hungry. Then we'll play around. You may know how to fly but do you know how to play? By the way maybe you could be a Chaser or Beater. Both are useful ways to release tension by the way. Oh and I wonder what book you got me."
"You'll see George, now let's eat and please have manners. Because if you eat like Ron, you can sit way over there." She said and they laughed at that.
After finishing up with their lunch, they got on the brooms, did a few laps and George experimented on which position Hermione liked. After an hour so, they headed back to the BURROW to shower and read, much to George's chagrin. She had to admit that she was feeling lots better than ever as they flew.
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They reached the BURROW and found Harry, Ron and Ginny in the kitchen.
"Hey guys, how did your outing go?" Hermione asked.
"It was fine" Ron replied "how did you know about that anyway?"
Well that's nice, and your Mrs. Weasley told us. I'll see you after the shower George, I suggest you do the same because you won't enjoy reading in sweat, trust me." She said
"What, so you are chums with George now? What's the matter, you are too good enough to even go out with us?" Ron said sarcastically voice with a twinge of anger.
"No Ronald, you can't throw that card at me. It was you guys who didn't want me. You could have woken me up but you didn't. So stop whining you little brat, I'm not Lavender." She went to leave when Ron said
"At least Lavender is better company than you. You probably would have bored us with your books just like you did George." He then looked at George and said "Sorry you got stuck with her. Must have been a nightmare, don't worry though; we're staying in tomorrow so we'll play the whole day so she won't nag. Even if she did, no one will listen anyway."
"George looked at him, Harry and Ginny and instantly understood what Hermione meant because they way giving him a sympathetic look. So he turned to Hermione and smiled "What you standing around for Mione lets go shower and get to that book you promised. The suspense is just killing. You didn't even give me a clue what its about. Later guys."
They headed upstairs leaving very stunned people, one smug read head, one guilty-faced spiked hair and another angry red head.
When they came back downstairs all showered and stuff, Hermione had two book-like things on her self. They went outside by the tree and sat on the blanket George had brought.
"Ah, how thoughtful Georgie," she said with a mischievous tone,
"Yeah I know, I can be thoughtful t--, wait did you call me 'Georgie'? Of all the pet names you could pick out, you choose 'Georgie'? Way to emasculating a fella,"
At the expression he gave she just burst into full blast laughter, literally rolling down. He wanted to get mad at her but he couldn't stop himself and ended up laughing for the heck of it.
"I know Forge, but this one is just for your ears only I promise, or should I say you ear only. Anyway let's get down to it. Here, enjoy." She handed him a book, a comic book to be specific.
"Ohkay," he said skeptically "THE X-MEN volume 1-10, what is this? I expected a book on charms or the likes. Please do explain."
"Well, I know that you study, but I figured I'd ease you into leisure reading. I don't know what you do in the Wizarding community for fun, book wise, but non-magical folks have internet, cds, movies and the likes. So I decided to ease you into it. That is called a comic book, it is mainly images drawn, no they don't move or talk you have to read them, just give it a try and tell me what you thinking.
There's going to be mainly characters like in story books but those are for the teenagers. They did also get me through my first year. Enjoy."
"What are you reading?" he asked her.
"OH, I'm just reading about animagus, I want to have a form so I thought I should check it out." She replied
"Really? Do you think we could do it together; it would be so cool to be one. Please?" and the puppy dog look was on full blast her way.
"Drop that face Georgie, and yes, it would be cool, yes we'll try it together. I know you can be serious when you have to, goodness knows how else you guys invented your products. Now get to reading."
After that they continued in silence for an hour when they decided to continue inside. They were met with incredulous three faces playing exploding snap.
"Hey George, wanna play snap?" Ginny asked this time.
"Nah, I'm okay Gin, I'm reading this again." He said not even glancing their way.
"Could I borrow that, it is a quiditch magazine right?" this time it was Ron asking.
Both George and Hermione sighed, realizing that they won't read until the curiosity of the three was satisfied.
"No Ronniekins, this is not quiditch-related. Its comic books Hermione gave to me to read and it is very interesting. It's about—" he was cut off by Ron saying
"If herms gave you then I don't want to know. I'm done with books unless I have no choice. Be careful mate, she's turning you into being just like her."
"Well Ronniekins, I wouldn't mind being like her anyway. Heck I'd be lucky if I get anywhere close to being like her." He replied hotly.
"Anyway George, what is the name of those comics?" Harry interjected trying to stop a fight from ensuing
"Well its X-MEN, they are really awesome, these mutants who can do incredible things. I thing Wolverine is awesome, regenesis and metal alloy, really deadly combo." he said "You can read them too you know, the ones I've read the second time that is."
"Really, cool. I never read them before. Dudley always burned them when finished then he stopped having them altogether. Sure just hand over the ones you are done with." Harry said leaving Ginny and Ron to play chess.
Mrs. Weasley called them to supper; Ron Ginny and Harry were talking about one thing or the other while Hermione and George were talking about something with both laughing on occasion. They left the kitchen and Hermione went outside to look at the stars. She just stared them while thinking about her parents and worried if they would ever forgive her. She fell asleep on the porch only to be awoken by George who had another tub of ice cream ready for them.
They ate in silence for a while and then George broke it.
"I saw it today you know." He said suddenly, she turned to look at him while he continued, "the way you felt alone, I saw it. I saw how Ron put you down and how Harry didn't say anything. I saw you looking at Harry your eyes begging him to defend you, to choose you, to stand up to him for you.
I never noticed before because I never knew anyone could feel like that. Fred was always there to defend me whenever he thought I need it. I always had him to rely on and I'd like to think he had me too. But looking at you today, I realized it is one more thing I took for granted. Him being there was a reassurance for me because it was always us against the world.
And to think that this has been going on since even before the war, and yet you are still head strong today. One more reason to admire you, right now I'm lost too. I don't know what I'm going to do now. The shop, the inventions, the laughter; I don't know if I can handle it. I miss him so much Hermione, for the first time in my life I am actually scared witless. I don't want to burden mud and dad because they are trying too but it is just so hard.
A part of me wants the pain to end because I can't bear it anymore but the other part doesn't want to. This pain is a reminder that he is, was there and if it goes that means he no longer matters to me. But he does matter and I don't want to forget him, I don't want to lose him Hermione." George was crying now and Hermione held him knowing that she could never understand that but he was not as alone as he thinks.
They sat there, both staring at the stars, ice cream forgotten, each lost in thought. An hour passed and Hermione said "I'm going to Australia to find my parents. I haven't planned but it will be in four days."
"I'll go with you." He said without blinking or turning to face her.
"No George you can't. You need your family, you should be together right now." She said
"Hermione, anymore togetherness with them and I'll go insane. I have to take the first to the world some time right? And I choose that step to be with you on your journey. I don't have to go with you I know that, you don't need me to go with you I know that also, but I really want to be there for you Hermione. You have your own supporter at your corner Hermione; nothing you can do will change that. Just let me."
"We'll plan the specific details tomorrow. Get some sleep Georgie, you are not getting any prettier." She headed inside and stopped at the kitchen door, turned and said to George, "Thank you for wanting to be there for me George, and for wanting to help me and letting me help you anyway I can. Thanks."
She then headed upstairs to bed, looking forward to the next day. George stayed outside for a little while, staring at the stars, the decided to head to sleep too.
"I still need you Fred, I need your help." He said then drifted off to sleep.
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Thank you so much for reviewing and liking this story. Adding it to your favs and alerts was really awesome. I know that this took a long long time to update but I have difficulty with the internet, it is an issue for me. Anyway thank again for being patient. I hope even the grammatical errors are to a minimum and that you enjoy this chapter. I enjoyed writing it so. I am not addressing the issue of 'Herms' yet but these characters still need to talk. As for Hermione's 6th year, I should remind you that the book is about how Harry sees things, how they relate to him and what affects him. So Hermione's 'weird' behavior was relative to how he sees it. Unless he saw her or was told by her, he won't know what she does when he assume she's in the library.
Thus it is possible she had flying lessons and she had a fear of heights but nobody offered to teach her so again, she did learn. She is not suddenly all brave and stuff. She is not perfect but she is darn close (lol). She is brave though, as for George, he is an enigma.
Harry is afraid of being abandoned, that is why he seldom stands up to Ron unless it is extreme. It is a subconscious thing since Ron is like his link to family, a concept he so dearly wants. Ron is just a jerk. Ginny is mainly territorial over Harry because Hermione does pose a threat now that she's single. She may not be viscous but she does have claws. Thank you again and don't give up on me.
I'm also in need of some Luna-like behavior for "My Prerogative" I am afraid that I will butcher that character when my intentions are nothing but honorable. I just love her; anything I could use would be deeply appreciated.
Till next time