A/N: I'm sorry that I didn't post this earlier. I just a bit inconsistent in my writing. Lost my inspiration while writing this chapter but I finally finished it. I think I will be able to post more chapters during this summer. I'm off for a music festival here in Sweden in a couple of days and will not be able to check any reviews. But I'll get you when I'm back! Hope everyone is enjoying a great summer!

Chapter 3

I rolled over to hug the sleeping figure as usual but I only felt the cold marble wall against my fingertips. The earlier events slowly replayed in my head. Ginny , white dress, Molly, mom's old turquoise necklace, tears, church, Harry, altar, Ron, rain, Aberforth, Hogwarts. I fell asleep here in the astronomy tower. How long have I been sleeping? I got out from my little hideout to find the sky of a bright orange colour by the globe which went higher and higher. The sunrise captured my like a rebirth of a Phoenix, rising out out the the grey ash and filling it's surrounding with a fierce orange light.

I suddenly realized that I stood as far out as I possibly could, slightly resting against the small metal bar. I smiled to myself. 10 years ago I wouldn't even think about standing here let alone leaning with my upper body over the bar. The first time Harry brought me up here, I panicked and ran down the stairs when he tried to walk out to the balcony. I remember how much I scolded him for picking such a place for a meeting when he knew that I was Acrophobic. As time went he lured me further and further out on this balcony til I finally stood where I'm standing right now.

Harry got me to utterly love this place when we saw our first sunset up here. Not even I can describe the beauty of the scene with words. If I would try I would go with magical, so magical even the Dusley's would believe in magic. I felt a tear run down my cheek as I remembered that it was this same memoery that kept me from marrying Ron yesterday. I need to stop thinking about Harry. I don't have the right to when I chose Ron over him all those years ago. I called it off with Ron yesterday but I-

My thoughts were interrupted with a cough behind me, Professor McGonagall.

"Good morning, Hermione."

"Good morning, Professor."

She simply smiled at my response. Even though it were more than seven years ago sine I graduated from Hogwarts I never stopped calling her Professor. Not even when she insisted on calling Minerva when I joined the staff.

"Harry asked me to inform him if you have been seen on Hogwarts grounds. I haven't done such thing. I thought you needed a night's rest before dealing with the fallout of yesterday's actions. I told Harry that there were no need to worry. You're a bright and skilled witch who is fully capable of taking care of yourself. By your facial expression I think that were a response in your taste, Hermione?

"Thank you, Prof-Minerva." blushing a bit at her last comment.

"I should advise you to contact miss Wesley. I'm sure she will will be happy to see you."

"I will and thank you again for not informing anyone about my whereabouts."

"One last advice, Hermione. Once in a while we need to give our brains' some rest to be able to listen to our hearts'."

I simply nodded. I never know how every Headmaster and Headmistress at Hogwarts seem to know absolutely everything. Maybe I could only figure that out if I'd become a Headmistress. I shrugged as I imagined myself in Professor McGonagall's clothes.

The walk down to the gates gave me enough time to take in the information Aberforth gave me last night and grasp the wise words of the Headmistress. I decided to send Ginny a Patronus before I apparated to her place. I can't I really deal with Ron (or Harry, another voice in my head quickly added) so soon. Ginny will understand. She's my best friend, she have to understand. A few minutes later my own otter waving at me. The coast is clear. I apparated an prepared myself for a lot of questioning from a certain redheaded witch.

"Hermione! Where have you been? We were so worried. What happened? Ro-." She stopped talking when she saw my face when she were about to say his name. "I'm glad that you're alright."

"Thanks, Gin'. I'm sorry I made you guys worry. I-" I have no idea what I said next because I started to cry.

Ginny stepped forward to hold me and led me toward the sofa. "It's okay Hermione, you don't have to talk about it. Shh.."

We sat silently in that position for a while and the only thing you could hear where the clock's ticking.

Tick-tock

Tick-tock.

Tick-tock.

My heavy breathing slowed to keep a pace with the clock as my tears dried. It wasn't like me to behave like this, to crash and lose control over my feelings. Stress can have this affect on you, emotional stress. Ginny haven't said another word since she tried to calm me down. But I needed her to brake the ice, it's easier if she ask the questions.

"Hermione, are you okay now?"

"Mm, I'm fine"

"You know Ron's crazy, he'd been pacing around mumbling to himself since you left. What really happened at the church?"

"I don't know Gin', realization I guess."

"Realization? Of what?"

"Maybe Ron isn't the one I should be with, don't get me wrong I still love him and I'm confused about things."

"I can't say I'm happy to hear that, he's my brother after all. I understand, but the timing Hermione? It's not fair to Ron."

"I know, I know. It was better now before it's too late. I can't marry him when I'm not sure."

"You did what you have to even if I don't agree with the way you choose to do it on. If you have doubt you shouldn't be marrying Ron just yet. But please, talk to him. Whatever it is that's making you this indecisive you need to figure it out, Hermione."

Even thought she didn't say anything it was like she knew why I ran away. I shook that feeling off, it was just my imagination. Ginny can't possibly know? But this is Ginny after all, the sneaky Weasley. Well, all of them are sneaky in their way but Ginny's something else. It have to be her being the youngest and the only girl.

Before I could react Ginny pulled me near her "Someone's apparating in" and then dragged me to the nearest closet and shut the door.

I felt the tension around me as I held my breath. I began to listen to the sound of the person walking in to the living room. I peeked through a little hole and saw the fiery red hair that defined the Wesleys'. The face of the man, sitting on almost the same spot I sat on moments ago, was mischievous as it use to be. I felt how I relaxed and opened the closet.

"Oh my, I never thought I ever would see Hermione Granger come out of the closet. First Ron and now Ginny, I guess you find us Weasleys too charming. I really don't mind being next." George snickered.

The smirk on his face disappeared quickly when Ginny smacked him hard on the back of his head.

"Hey, that hurt!"

"Well, you deserved it. It was not funny. Eat this so you won't put your foot in your mouth again and shoved a cookie to George." Ginny retorted while she fought back a laugh.

"It's okay Gin. It was pretty funny actually." I walked over to give George a hug "What are you doing here by the way?"

"Someone sent me to look for you, my poor little brother is heartbroken but still want to know if you are safe. Are you coming with me to the Burrow?"

"I guess I can't hide from Ron forever, let's go you big baboon."

"After you, my lady" he said and made monkey like gestures.

I thanked Ginny for letting stay at her place and talk and thought of the Burrow. Then everything started to spin around me again.