Hello wonderful people! =) So first things first - thank you everyone so much again for all the great reviews, I really, really appreciate them as always.
Now - one thing with this chapter. I know that Slughorn's party was originally (in the books) held on a Friday evening. I've changed this to a Saturday evening, only because I needed time for the girls to prepare. I know it doesn't make much difference, but I hope everyone's ok with that anyway.
Also I had some fun with the conversation between Hermione and Ginny here - I'm not sure how in-character it is - if it's too sweet - but anyway, I'd love all your feedback on it.
Now on with ze chapter!
Disclaimer: Still no.
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Potentially Problematic_Chapter Seven_Heartbreak At Christmas
On the day of the party, Hermione decided to begin her preparations early.
While some may call beginning these at two o'clock in the afternoon when the festivities weren't due to commence until seven that evening 'severe overkill' - Hermione liked to think that she was simply being very well-organised. She had even managed to rustle Ginny into helping her brew some Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. The brunette couldn't very well go with her usual head of fuzz after all.
Though, in all truthfulness, Hermione could have easily created the potion alone, but she had thought that it would give her a good chance to talk with the youngest Weasley. So, as the two walked steadily toward the Gryffindor common room, Hermione took the chance to strike up a conversation.
"So…have you spoken to Ron recently?" she asked, trying to sound as casual and inconspicuous as possible about the whole thing.
Ginny turned to her sharply and kind of grimaced. The reaction didn't exactly fill Hermione with confidence.
"Um -" started Ginny. "Well yes."
"Did he tell you about…what happened the other day? I got the feeling that I may have unintentionally upset him."
She frowned slightly at her own words. They must have been the understatement of the universe. In reality, Ron's unhappiness was so blatant to anyone with eyes, that to say she had a 'feeling' just didn't cover it. It was more like Ron's heart had marched over to Hermione and started smacking her in the face rhythmically whilst repeating 'I'm hurt you know? Your actions really hurt me!'
"Erm, not really," Ginny was saying. "He didn't actually say that much to me to be honest. I really only overheard what he was telling Harry -"
"Oh yes? That I'm a heartless harpy that lives to drive him insane by any chance?"
"Uh - well he didn't use those exact words…"
Hermione sighed loudly.
"Harry was looking really uncomfortable with the whole conversation, so I went over and stood up for you. I told Ron that he didn't know what he was talking about and tried to remind him that there were more than just his feelings to consider. It's just Ron - he tends to speak before he thinks sometimes. Well, pretty much all the time might be a more exact term."
"Does he hate me then?"
"I really don't think so. You know what boys are like. He's just blowing off steam."
Eyes flicking to the floor, Hermione continued quietly, "And what about you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well - how do you feel about me?"
Ginny seemed to consider this for a very long moment, even putting her finger to her chin as if in deep thought. "Well - it's obvious isn't it? I clearly absolutely despise you now of course." She smirked before quickly continuing, "Hermione! Please don't be ridiculous. I'm far from hating you if that's what you're talking about. After all, would I be helping you with this potion if I did?"
"Ah well you see, I have a theory. I've figured that this could all be some clever charade to get me to trust you - thereby giving you the perfect opportunity to jinx me or something equally sinister." She fixed Ginny with a look of mock suspicion and then laughed. Hermione was quite enjoying the trivial silliness of their conversation, considering how all too serious her life had seemed to have become lately.
"Please," replied Ginny. "If I had really wanted to off you, I could think of much more creative ways than jinxing some silly hair potion."
They looked at each other, lips quirking widely, before breaking out into a fit of laughter.
"So," Hermione uttered after a while. "Do you think Ron will be alright then?" She really needed the reassurance from Ginny that her reaction hadn't been as terrible as she felt it had.
Ginny hesitated. "He'll come around," she said slowly, "…but in time. As much as I know it will pain him so to actually act like a mature adult for once in his life, I really do believe that not talking to you is hurting him even more."
"Hmm -"
"I may not know the ins and outs of this particular situation Hermione, but I know Ron - and more importantly, I know you and I know you two together - and I think that I understand your reaction. …Sometimes Hermione - people just have to go with their hearts. I think someone quite wiser - and really much older of course -" she paused, shooting Hermione a side-ways grin, "once told me that she'd never be with anyone she didn't love."
"Hmm," uttered Hermione, pursing her lips together. "Whoever gave you that kind of advice must have indeed been very wise - and stunningly attractive of course - and well, I don't believe Miss. Weasley that one year can count as 'really much older.'"
She shot Ginny a friendly, humorous grin, which the younger girl returned.
"Is it alright if I say something though?"
Hermione looked to her.
"Please don't get upset, but I always kind of thought that you and Ron would get together eventually. But Ron - he can be…difficult at times, and I guess his recent behaviour was just one time too many for you?"
"I always believed that we would too…before. But yes, it's been hard. Ron has changed a lot. And what he's been doing recently -"
"He is an enormous prat at times. Whenever he sees me and Dean he goes crazy at me."
Hermione chuckled quietly. "That tends to be the job of a big brother - no matter how much it annoys the little sister he's trying to protect." She winked at the younger girl.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I know - but when is he going to realise that I don't need protecting anymore?"
"Hmm, maybe around the time that he realises what an enormous prat he's being," Hermione replied jokingly. The girls laughed again and Hermione felt much lighter than she had in a long time.
"So erm, I guess you're around Harry a lot more at the moment? Since, you know …with Ron. Anyway how is Harry?"
The question came so randomly that Hermione was actually stuck for words for a good long moment - which was very unlike her indeed. "Uh - yes, he's fine. I mean he's really fed up with me and Ron not being completely on speaking terms at the moment, but otherwise - he's good."
Ginny nodded absently, while Hermione grew a little red and felt the desperate need to change the subject. Luckily, the pair had reached the common room door without either even noticing. Hermione sent up a silent little thank you to whoever was listening. The last thing she needed was to be discussing Harry with Ginny.
"Codswallop," she said, and the Fat Lady's portrait swung open. The girls walked through and -
Hermione stopped dead.
Being a sunny Saturday afternoon, the common room was devoid of life (most choosing to spend their time on the grounds) - that is, bar one.
Ron was seated on one of the comfy chairs, staring intently into the cold, empty fireplace. He looked up sharply as they arrived though, a look of panic flashing in his eyes when he saw Hermione.
"Alright?" Ron intoned in a way that suggested he really wasn't looking for either to answer. He got up quickly, and walked over to the stairs.
Hermione looked to Ginny, and then rushed forward, grabbing her friend's arm. He stared down at her hand.
"Problem?"
"Only that my apparent best friend won't even give me the time of day anymore," she snapped. There was a pause. Hermione sighed and in a much more neutral tone continued, "I think we should talk."
Never to be outdone, Ron sighed too. "About what?"
"You know very well what."
From behind Hermione, Ginny cleared her throat. "I think I'll just leave you two alone then."
Ron looked even more panic-stricken at that. "You don't have to go Ginny -"
But Ginny ignored him. Passing the pair she said, "I'll start work on the potion Hermione. Come up to my room when you're ready."
As soon as his sister had disappeared, Ron shook his arm harshly from Hermione's grip. He stomped off to his chair, and sat down with a huff. "What's this poxy potion about then?"
Hermione swallowed, turned and walked over to where Ron sat. She stood in front of him, leaning awkwardly against the fireplace wall. "It's a Sleekeaze potion that will calm my hair down a little bit," she said, smiling slightly and hoping that perhaps the comment would persuade a teasing reply from her friend as it undoubtedly once would have done. But the witch had no such luck.
Rolling his eyes nastily, Ron spat out, "For that bloody Slug party is it? I don't know why you feel the need to get all tarted up - it's not like it's the highlight of the year or anything."
"Yes well, it makes me happy…not that that means anything to you. Me and Harry are going together." Hermione had no idea why she had felt the need to say that.
Ron, looking as if his friend had done no less than smacked him across the face with a crowbar, spluttered, "Oh well - that's ruddy nice isn't it?"
"I had invited you!" Hermione retorted, feeling rather defensive - not to mention guilty as hell.
"Whatever. What did you want anyway?"
"I would like to explain my reaction the other day, as it has obviously effected you."
Ron shot her a moody glare. "Affected me? That's a laugh. I don't bloody care."
Hermione sighed. This was going to be hard work. "Fine. Well in any case, Harry doesn't like us well - like this, and I certainly don't, so I thought that maybe we could clear the air a little bit."
"Clear away," Ron mumbled, waving his hand at her in a vague sign to go ahead.
"Right well - I need you to know that I really am very supportive of your decision to break up with Lavender. It must have been hard and I respect your honesty with her."
"Respect my honesty?" Ron sneered. "But you hated her!"
"I didn't. I disliked her at times, but she loved you and treated you well, so for that I give her her due."
"Right, whatever."
Hermione bristled. "Why don't you tell me what's really on your mind Ron? Forget the formalities and let's just get down to it, because frankly I am tired of you avoiding me."
He sighed loudly, but otherwise stayed silent.
Hermione was losing her patience. "I'm sick of this Ron. I always have to guess what you're thinking because damn if you'll actually ever tell me anything! Why don't you just say what's bothering you! Get it out in the open!"
"But I did try to!"
Hermione hesitated. This was it. They were finally going to talk about the real reason Ron had been avoiding her. This was what Harry had advised her to do and Hermione could only hope that her friend had been right.
Ron was definitely losing his 'tough guy' composure - looking more and more distraught by the second. "When I told you I'd broken up with Lavender - I tried telling you then! I thought you'd get it - you're smart and intuitive, I thought you'd understand."
Hermione listened, knowing that she needed to be brave - she needed for him to tell her what she already knew and then she needed to tell him that she didn't feel the same way. That was the grown-up thing to do.
"I tried - and you seemed to understand, but then you bloody buggered off. How's that supposed to make me feel?"
Hermione thought she might correct Ron that he had been the one to walk off, but then thought better of it. "When you said that you liked someone else?" she questioned, already knowing the answer.
He looked at her. "Yeah."
Hermione nodded. Coming forward, she sat on the arm of the chair next to Ron. "I think I know who you're talking about."
His eyes widened. "Really?"
"I think I do - and the reason I reacted so strangely the other day was that…Oh Merlin, Ron - I love you -" His eyes seemed to shine with an awful, undying kind of hope that wretched at Hermione's heart - so she ploughed on, hating herself for how much hurt she'd cause with her next few words. "- but as a sister loves a brother. You'll always be my best friend. Always. …But…but - I just don't feel the same way. I'm so sorry Ron." Hermione bit her lip, staring at her dear friend, gauging his reaction. She could already feel the tears welling up in her eyes.
His gaze dropped away from hers to his lap. He stayed in that position for what seemed like years.
"…Ron?"
"About me?"
"Sorry?"
Ron looked up finally and Hermione was shocked to see how red his eyes were. She couldn't remember a time when her friend ever looked so vulnerable. "You don't feel the same way about me that I feel about…you? That's what you're saying?"
Hermione didn't want to answer. She knew it would only cause him more anguish and pain - it could ruin their friendship forever - but she had to be honest with him. Ron deserved that much. "It is, yes. That's what I needed to tell you. …Oh Ron, I really am so sorry." She went to place her hand on Ron's - feeling the desperate need to comfort him, but Ron tore it away and got up angrily.
"Don't bother with that. I don't want your pity! What I want is…ah! I don't understand. I can't believe that you're saying all this now - after everything! I always thought - well I guess it doesn't matter what I always thought. I obviously don't matter to you."
"Ron," Hermione said, voice shaking. She stood and walked towards him. "How can you say that? Of course I care about you. I love you dearly - but as my friend…as my best friend."
Ron stared at her in terrible rage. His whole body seemed to be shaking with it. "Great! That's just bloody perfect that is!
Storming past her, Ron made for the porthole.
"Ron, please!"
He stopped, furiously swinging back around to face Hermione. "Hermione - Merlin, you can't know. You can't understand. I always - …I just need to be alone right now, ok? …Just - don't talk to me for a while."
He walked through the portrait entrance and was gone.
A horrible, looming silence fell all around and Hermione, for the longest time, just stood - feeling numb. If that had been the right thing to do, then why did she feel so awful about herself? Letting out a shaking breath and wiping at damp eyes, she turned and walked up the stairs to the girls dormitories to join Ginny. She could only pray that someday Ron would talk to her again.
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God, that was brutal eh? Oh! Young love! So cruel!
Hope you all enjoyed it anyway. I promise that it's not going to be as angsty as this all the way through. Heh. Please do review if you have a minute to spare. Hugs!
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