Chapter 2
So things were going as well as they possibly could within my miserable life. I was not making a name for myself at my job, I was close to getting fired simply because I didn't truly care about what I did. I wandered aimlessly at night and found myself in strange places around London. I wanted someone to be as lonely and miserable as me and I tried to pick a fight with whomever would try and cheer me up. It was awful, I was an absolute pain with everyone and I prayed for heart just to give up on me already so death would be here. I woke up every night from my nightmare and my body felt as though I went through the rape and the torture again and again. I started avoiding sleep and dreaming altogether. My dreams start off so sweet with them being just of me and Ron together and when I look up into Ron's face all I see are those black, soulless eyes. It's enough to make a person go insane which is what everyone thought of me pretty much. I had to keep reminding myself that as long as I was away from Ron, everything would be alright and I was protecting him and Harry.
Every once in a while I see a flash of red hair and it makes my heart stop. Instead of trying to recognize the face I turn around and walk in the opposite direction or duck into a coffee shop until I no longer see any red hair. It's made me late for work countless times.
Today, I resolved that I was going to go to work and try and talk my boss into giving me less work. Something I was hoping he'd fire me for, you know to add to my depression. Then I saw him. Ron Weasley was standing outside a café with a map and asking for directions from someone. He grew taller, more muscular, and had a little facial hair. He looked amazing and I caught myself thinking how nice it would be to be wrapped up in his arms and how much I wanted to run to him. Then my fear returned and my breath caught in my throat. I stopped walking which caused a number of people to trip over themselves in order to get around me. A couple of curses were thrown my way that caused everyone in the immediate area to turn to see what was going on. Before I drew too much attention to myself, I stepped into the first shop along the street and closed the door. I looked around and noticed I was in a music shop.
"Can I help you?" asked the shopkeeper.
I searched for something to say. Nothing was coming out and I was short of breath from my fear.
"Listen, Ma'am, if you're not in here to buy something I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
I looked outside and tried to see to the end of the street where I saw Ron. He seemed to be gone.
I turned and faced the shopkeeper, mumbled a non-genuine apology, and made my way out of the store. I walked down the street and in the direction of work constantly looking over my shoulder for the red hair. I decided that I would move as soon as possible and definitely would be quitting my job. Becoming anonymous was my number one priorty. Maybe I'd move to Australia, I hear the sun there is terrible for redheads.
For the next week, I was on edge and couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched. My boss was not upset that I quit and I neither was I. I had enough money to get me through the next two months before I'd be hurting for some work.
I decided to get some fresh air and look for a job. Maybe at a library so I wouldn't be bored all day. I was lost in my own world daydreaming when I felt someone grab me from behind! I was about to scream and start biting and kicking when they spun me and gave me the biggest bear hug that I have ever received.
"Hermione! Holy s*#t it's you! How are you? Oh my God, I haven't seen you in ages!" I was shaking when I looked up to see who it was. Fred Weasley was grinning down at me. My face paled and registered shock. I started to feel faint when Fred wrapped me up again. "Hermione Granger I thought you disappeared from the face of the Earth, how are you?"
I didn't know what to do. Should I make a run for it? Knowing Fred, he'd probably run after me and tackle me to the ground so I decided that since I couldn't possible escape him, I might as well try and make this visit as short as possible. "Hi Fred." My voice was small and so incredibly shaky.
"Hi Fred? That's all I get? Nothing else? Geez, Hermione, the Muggles have turned you into a heathen. Come on, let's catch up. How about a drink?"
"Um, I don't…"
"I will not leave you alone until we chat. Do you remember how annoying I can be?"
All too well did I remember how annoying Fred and his brother could be. I agreed to the drink and he offered his arm as we walked along the street. I pretended like I didn't see the gesture and kept my eyes lowered as I walked along the street. If Fred noticed my nervousness he didn't say much about it. The entire time I was walking, I kept wondering how much Fred knew about what happened seventh year. We finally made our way into a pub and sat down at the nearest table. He ordered a beer and raised his eyebrows while I asked for some tea.
"So, Hermione, how have things been with you in the Muggle world?"
"Wonderful. I love it here." I tried to sound convincing but it was not working.
"Mm hmm, sure."
"What are you doing in this part of London, Fred?"
"Research! I have to keep up on the latest joke and gag! Muggles don't know a lot but they can be quite creative when it comes to entertaining themselves." He smiled. I was lost when I noticed how similar Fred's smile was to Ron's. The slight smirk to the right and the way his…
My goodness, Hermione. Keep it together! Daydreaming is becoming a problem for you… Fred was chatting away, not leaving me any room to talk, which was fine, since I didn't have anything to say. I was finishing my tea and thinking of a way to get rid of Fred, when I heard him say, "Mum will be so excited you're coming to visit."
My eyes widened. "What did you say? Fred, I'm not coming to the Burrow! I am never going to go there!"
"Whoa, whoa, Hermione ease up a bit!" He threw his hands up in defense. "There are two things I have to say to that little outburst. One, it's my birthday and I will not take 'no' for an answer. And two, Ron won't be there. He's off gallivanting on some Auror thing and won't be anywhere near there which is what I know is holding you back from coming."
I tried to look offended. "Fred, first; Happy Birthday, and second; why would it make any difference if Ron was there or not?"
"Oh come off it Hermione, the whole family knows that you and Ron got into this huge argument in seventh year and haven't spoken since. Everyone misses you! Harry and Ginny will be there! Come on, pleeeeeeease tell me you'll come. I hate it here in the Muggle world and I will keep coming back here everyday to bug you until you agree. You can't say know to someone's birthday. "
An argument? I only wish that were true.
My fist reaction was yes. But then I thought about Harry and Ginny. What were they going to say to me? The imagined wrath from Ginny I was creating in my mind was horrible enough.
"I don't know, Fred. It's been so long."
"Great! I'll tell Mum! See you on the 18th!"
"Fred! I didn't say yes!" but he already put money on the table and was out the door before I could finish my rebuttal. Apparently selective hearing is a strong Weasley trait.
I thought about what was actually going to happen. Am I really agreeing to this? Am I insane? Right into the Lion's nest…
My desire to go was far outweighing any fear that I was feeling. Just to be around friends from the past was making me want to go home and pack my bags to leave right now. Which made me realize that I had no idea how I was getting to the Burrow. Fred Weasley, you better be telling the truth. I shook my head knowing what an outrageous statement that was.