Ginny had been out shopping for the dinner her mother was going to prepare tonight, her mother sent her out a mission a list full of everything she needed. As she went through the list checking one last time she had everything she spotted a curly haired girl she would recognize anywhere.
"Hermione!" Ginny called out, Hermione turned around her face in question till she saw Ginny and she instantly smiled.
"Ginny! How are you!" Hermione said coming over giving her a big hug. Though they were still friends both of their busy schedules made it hard from them to meet up though they did whenever they could.
"Good! Great actually, I'm taking some time off from Quidditch though" Ginny said, Hermione looked at her surprise.
"Really why?" Hermione asked she knew Ginny loved quidditch more than anything. Ginny simply looked at her with a smile as if she was going to burst.
"Well…you can't tell anyone I haven't even told the family yet, actually I'm telling them tonight…but anyhow...I'm pregnant!" Ginny said practically squealing, Hermione instantly hugged Ginny again.
"Oh my god! That's fantastic! Congrats Gin!" Hermione said with a smile, Ginny was still beaming.
"Thank you! Uh I can't wait to tell everyone I've literally been dying only Harry knows" Ginny explained
"How far along are you?" Hermione asked she assumed not very far because she wasn't showing one bit.
"Almost two months! I had no idea at first we just found out two weeks ago but we wanted to wait till everyone could come in at once" Ginny explained, Hermione nodded it made sense when you have a big family like that.
"You know you should totally come to dinner!" Ginny said though then her face fell slightly as if she just thought of something, and Hermione knew exactly what. Ron was going to be there, this hasn't been the first time Ginny had invited her somewhere and quickly took the invitation back.
"Ron's going to be there huh" Hermione said reading Ginny's mind and she nodded.
"Yeah but I mean does that still bother you? It's been awhile now are you guys still…weird?" Ginny asked as if their break up was longer a big deal, which Hermione knew it really shouldn't be.
"Um I don't know actually" Hermione said honestly she hadn't seen or talked to Ron since Harry and Ginny's wedding.
"Well listen invitation still stands everyone would love to see you, as long as you feel comfortable with it" Ginny said, Hermione nodded part of her wanted to go she missed the Weasley family dearly but the other part of her was absolutely terrified of what could happen.
"Okay I'll think about it" Hermione said with a smile
"Great! I really hope you decided to come even if you just stop by" Ginny urged
"You look great by the way!" Ginny said looking over Hermione.
"Oh thanks! Listen if I don't see you later we need to make dinner plans and catch up" Hermione said
"Yes definitely my schedule is a lot more open now since I'm not doing Quidditch" Ginny said Hermione nodded.
"I'll see ya" Hermione said with a wave
"Later? Hopefully!" Ginny said before they parted their ways. She double checked everything on the list knowing that if she missed anything her mother would send her right back out again and she wasn't trying to do that. Once she made her way back to the Burrow almost everyone had been there expect Ron, this didn't surprise Ginny Ron had never been on time.
"Hey love need some help" Harry said grabbing some of the bags from Ginny helping her into the kitchen.
"Thanks dear you'll never guess who I saw in the store" Ginny said to Harry who raised an eyebrow at her.
"Hermoine!" Ginny said
"Oh really? How is she?" Harry asked
"She's good she looks great!" Ginny said with a sly look on her face, Harry eyed her he knew she was hiding something.
"What did you do" Harry asked
"I may have invited her to dinner" Ginny said with a small smile, Harry looked at her in question.
"You know Ron's coming right? They haven't seen each other since the wedding" Harry said remembering back to his wedding night when he saw Ron at the end of the night.
"Harry can I have a word?" Ron said pulling Harry from is conversation with Ginny and Matt.
"Yeah what's up?" Harry asked following Ron out past the celebration to a quieter part in the yard.
"Listen I'm gonna head out, the wedding was great but I can't stay here any longer I just gonna check into a motel somewhere for the night then head back home" Ron explained his voice sounding sad.
"Why what's going on?" Harry questioned, Ron let out a deep breath running his hand through his hair.
"It's Hermione, I came here hoping I could…I don't know win her back…ugh it's stupid now that I say it out loud but I just can't watch her with that guy. I can't I'm over it I'm over her I just need to get out here" Ron said painfully, Harry patted him on the back he felt terrible.
"Listen I'm sorry but I really don't think it's too late I thi-
"No Harry I'm done, it's over" Ron said cutting him off, Harry looked into his eyes and he could tell he was serious he simply nodded.
"Okay you do what you have to do, I'll tell Ginny you said goodbye" Harry said giving Ron a hug before letting him go.
"I know! It's been so long they've both moved on by now don't ya think" Ginny said defending herself, Harry shrugged.
"Yeah I guess" he replied.
"Well she didn't even say yes, she might not even come" Ginny said Harry felt slightly relived if he knew Hermione she wasn't going to come which probably the best.
"Yeah you're right" Harry said. Just then the door opened and there stood Ron a smile plastered on his face.
"Ron!" Ginny exclaimed running over to hug her brother.
"Hey Gin!" Ron said giving her a big bear hug.
"Glad you could finally grace us with your presence" Ginny joked
"Yeah yeah. Hey Harry" Ron said pulling him into a hug. Despite what everyone thought Ron returned to the Burrow few and far between. When he first moved out to Ireland all of his brothers had bets when he would return, but was there to stay. So when he did come home it was rather exciting for everyone. Ron made his way through the house saying his hellos to everyone and getting settled before his family began the questioning. It seemed too happened every time he came home.
"So dear how's Ireland?" Mrs. Weasley asked it was a loaded question but Ron gave the simplest answer.
"It's great I love it" He responded sipping his beer.
"And work?" Mr. Weasley asked
"Great! You actually caught me between two lengthy field missions so you got lucky" Ron explained.
"Well thank god for that!" Ginny said sarcastically
"So any girls in your life?" Charlie asked giving him a suggestive look. Ron thought for a moment, and then shook his head.
"Nope couple dates here and there but nothing special" Ron said with a shrug.
"Ah 'dates' huh" George said suggestively elbowing Ron giving him a look. Ron simply rolled his eyes at his brother at always managed to make everything sexual.
"Oh I forgot to tell you guys, guess who I ran into at the store today" Ginny said
"Who?" asked
"Hermione!" Ginny said Ron's stomach did a slight flip he hadn't heard anyone say her name in so long.
"Oh did you how is she?" Mrs. Weasley asked intrigued.
"She's good, she looks great!" Ginny said. Ron wondered how Hermione looked now a days if she changed at all.
"Oh bless her I've always wished the best for her" Mrs. Weasley said. Ron wanted to ask what she's been up too, if she had gotten the big promotion she's always wanted, if she had boyfriend, but he refrained. Dinner was ready shortly after they gathered around the table and began to eat, once everyone was settled Ginny stood up. George looked at her with question.
"Um Gin what are you doing?" George asked
"I have something I'd like to say" Ginny said clearing her throat getting everyone's attention. Everyone soon looked over at waiting for her to speak.
"Well I just wanted to say that…well.. I'M PREGNAT!" Ginny exclaimed Mrs. Weasley got up immediately.
"Oh my baby! That's great!" Mrs. Weasley said rushing over to her daughter engulfing her in a hug. Everyone had looked shocked but happy yelling their congratulations hugging Harry and Ginny. When Ron made his way over to Ginny he gave her another bear hug,
"Now I know why you wanted me to come so badly" Ron said into her ear.
"Yeah...and you better start coming around more often! I want my baby to know his uncle Ron!" Ginny warned Ron simply nodded with a smile. He knew this meant he would be making more trips back home but for this he didn't really mind. Once they finished dinner they all migrated to the sitting room where they had drinks and caught up.
"Guess she's not coming" Ginny said to Harry quietly, Harry simply shrugged he wasn't very surprised.
"Doesn't look like it" Harry said
"I had hope…guess not" Ginny said sadly
"I assume you're staying tonight" Charlie said to Ron point at his drink in hand.
"Yeah looks like it, this always happens" Ron said drowning his drink.
"I'll get ya another I'm getting up anyway" Ginny said taking the glass from her brother and making her way into the kitchen. As she filled Ron's glass up the smell of the alcohol making her stomach turn slightly she heard a knock at the door. She opened the door wondering who it could've been and their stood Hermione.
"Hermione! You made it!" Ginny yelled bringing her into a hug, Hermione handed her a bottle of wine.
"Yeah I just figured why not" Hermione said with a smile trying to cover up her uneasiness.
"Good! Great! Follow me everyone's in here" Ginny said pulling Hermione by the hand. Hermione's heart was pounding, her stomach was in knots, and her hands were so sweating they could probably slip right through Ginny's death grip. Part of her hoped that Ron had left by now since it was so late but another part of her just wanted to see him.
"Look who stopped by!" Ginny said pulling Hermione forward she swallowed the lump in her throat forcing a smile and waving to everyone. Mrs. Weasley got immediately bringing her into a big hug.
"Oh dear! How are you it's so great to see you!" Mrs. Weasley said, Harry got up quickly hugging Hermione after.
"Hey Hermione! Long time no see!" Harry said
"I know right!" Hermione said slightly nervous not knowing what else to say. She got a hug from every Weasley family member, well almost every one, until she sat down. She had noticed Ron from across the room but he hadn't said anything yet. Everyone seemed to ignore the fact that Ron and Hermione were in the same room again mostly because it was easier.
Ginny knowing Hermione poured her a large glass of wine which Hermione was every grateful for. 'Thank you' she mouthed to Ginny as she handed it to her. Everyone asked her a million questions, she answered best she could. Ron kept relevantly quiet putting his two cents in every once in a while but never speaking directly to Hermione. As the night went on Hermione drank more and more washing away her nerves before she knew it was eleven thirty. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had went off to bed already as well as some of the Weasley boys and now it was just down to George Ron Harry Ginny and Hermione.
"Well we should get going huh love" Ginny said since she was becoming tired. Harry nodded,
"Yeah it's about that time" Harry said getting up from his chair. Hermione felt panic set in she had already promised Mrs. Weasley she was going to stay the night considering she was in no condition to go anywhere but she didn't realize that Ginny and Harry weren't staying too.
"Bye Hermione" Harry said giving her a hug
"Bye" Hermione said giving him a hug looking at Ginny frantically over his shoulder. Ginny quickly grabbed Hermione pulling her into a tight hug.
"It's going to be okay I promise" Ginny whispered in her ear knowing exactly what the look was for.
"Bye Hermione I'll write to you soon will catch up" Ginny said as she squeeze her hands and with that she left. George let out a deep breath he had been rather drunk,
"As much as I would love to see how this plays out" George said gesturing to Ron and Hermione.
"I need to go to bed" He said slightly slurring his words, he got up swaying giving Hermione a sloppy hug before making his way upstairs leaving just Hermione and Ron.
An awkward silence fell between them, Hermione suddenly felt self-conscious smoothing down her hair wondering how she looked for the first time all night. The simple fact that they both sat in this painful silence showed they wanted to talk to each other, that they were curious. It was simply a matter of who was going to make the first move. Hermione swallowed the hard, deciding she would be the one to break the silence.
"So Ron how's Ireland?" Hermione said pleasantly, Ron looked up at her surprised at first then he smiled slightly.
"It's good I love it out there" Ron said nodding his head.
"I hear it's beautiful at there this time of year" Hermione added, remembering Leia telling her about her trip there.
"Oh it is especially out in the country side where I live" Ron said, Hermione nodded. They both knew they had more to say that this was small talk that was safe. Hermione tipped back her wine glass finishing off her wine, Ron mimicked her doing the same with his whiskey. Ron reached for the whiskey bottle that was next to him pouring himself some more
"Want some?" Ron asked
"Oh god I haven't had whiskey in so long…but what the hell" Hermione said stretching out her wine glass. Truth be told the last time she had was when she was with Ron. Ron poured her about an equivalent to a shot raising his glass to hers, this was something they started in Hogwarts and never really stopped, they would simply go shot for shot with each other until someone gave up. Hermione shook her head in protest as she raised her glass knowing she would regret it as soon as she did it.
"Cheers" Ron said Hermione nodded before knocking her head back and taking the shot. They both coughed from the stinging of the whiskey in their throats.
"God I haven't done shots in forever" Hermione said shaking her head taking a breath, Ron simply laughed.
"You were never good at them truthfully" Ron said with a slight smile Hermione glared at him even though she knew it was true.
"Shut up Weasley" Hermione said Ron raised an eyebrow at her.
"Another then?" Ron challenged holding up the whiskey bottle. Hermione put out her wine glass in front of him and nodded.
"You're on" she said knowing it was a bad idea but her competiveness was getting the best of her. Hermione took her shot immediately before she chickened out, Ron watched as she threw her head back her curls falling down over her shoulders, her lips lighting touching the wine glass letting the whiskey fall into her mouth.
"Aren't you gonna take yours?" Hermione asked too drunk to realize Ron had been starring. Ron quickly snapped out of him trace and gulped back his whiskey.
"So how's England treating you?" Ron asked, though they were still keeping their distance the alcohol was tearing down their walls giving them the illusion that they were comfortable with each other again.
"Alright…." Hermione said flatly, she felt the whiskey in her head knowing she was becoming even more drunk but the second but she tried not to act like it, Ron looked at her in question.
"Yeah?" Ron said with a look unconvinced.
"Alright as in pretty shitty" Hermione said bluntly knowing it was mostly the alcohol making her this honest but at this time she didn't care.
"Ireland isn't that great either" Ron mused taking another small swig of whiskey. Hermione let out a long sigh, knowing what she wanted to ask next but not sure if she would be crossing a line.
"Are you seeing anybody?" Ron asked as if reading Hermione's mind, she looked over at him thinking for a moment before she simply shook her head adverting her eyes and extending her glass for another refill.
"Me either" Ron said softly Hermione's eyes flickered back at him and she was met with his deep blue eyes that were saying so much more than he was. Ron didn't care that he was lying, this was Hermione it wasn't like it was some random girl at the bar. It was Hermione, the only girl he's ever loved, the only girl to make him feel so much love and yet so much hurt. Hermione licked her lips still tasting the whiskey, Ron watched carefully wishing he could taste her lips again. Hermione leaned forward to place her glass on the coffee table in front of her, leaning too far forward and her brain not being able to keep up with her motions she ended up falling right out of her chair with a thud. Ron instinctively go up and went over to her, her head was still down on the carpet he lifted her up slightly.
"Hermione are you okay?" He asked concerned. Hermione's face broke out into a smile as she began to laugh uncontrollably, Ron smiled as he began to laugh with her. She sat back up leaning against the chair.
"That was…so embarrassing…" Hermione said in between laughs a tear of laughter falling down her face. Ron laughed just as hard trying to catch his breath so he could talk.
"Drink much?" Ron teased and Hermione hit him playfully but due to her drunken state missed horrible causing Ron to laugh even harder.
"Shut up Weasley!" Hermione said leaning towards Ron trying to get in his face. He continued to laugh as Hermione tried to make faces at him in mockery. Then he realized how close she was too him, her lips only inches from him and he settled down being overwhelmed by the notion to kiss Hermione with everything he had. Hermione noticed Ron's change in matterim and looked at him,
"What?" Hermione said looking into eyes that were filling with want and lust. She then too realized how close they were, her stomach was in knots she felt like they were back at Hogwarts all over again. Not knowing whether he was going to kiss her or not, being so close but so far away.
"I never got the promotion" Hermione blurted out, she had no idea what came over her why she deiced to say that of all things. She saw Ron's demeanor change immediately he became ridged leaning away from her and taking his eyes off her.
"Really?" Ron asked, Hermione nodded.
"And you didn't even bother to write? Or tell me? Ever?" Ron said his voice becoming louder and more enraged. Hermione regretted telling him now, she still didn't know why she said it.
"I'm sorry Ron…I was just…" Hermione couldn't find words in this very moment she couldn't remember why she didn't write him, why she couldn't just fix everything when she had the chance. Ron shook his head getting up from his chair,
"I can't do this" Ron said simply getting up from the chair and leaving Hermione to herself. She felt like crying, but she'd cried too much over Ron too many times before she refused too. She took another swig of whiskey before she curled up on the couch letting herself slip off into sleep
A/N: That may have been slightly confusing at the end there, but the next chapter will explain it all it was just too long to make all one chapter. Next chapter will be up shortly just doing some editing! Please let me know what you think!