An Unconventional Fairytale: Can't Ask

The pair sat on the picnic table just outside the Burrow, feet on the bench and elbows on knees, shoulder to shoulder. They were best friends. Silence was no stranger to them; conveniently, today silence was in a companionable mood. Their chosen mates were elsewhere and they found themselves alone for the first time since the New Year began. The four months previous had been a whirlwind, so the calm was a welcome change.

"I've just realized. I haven't fretted over you in days."

Harry turned toward Hermione and chuckled. "Missing it already?"

Hermione shared his laugh. "Honestly, after seven years, no. You?"

He looked at her with mock seriousness. "Hermione, you know I love you. Not in the slightest."

They laughed and leaned closer to one another, her head resting on his shoulder. "I've realized lately, just how much attention I paid you all these years; and how little I've paid others."

He remained quiet, not wanting to interrupt.

"I never understood why he had such confidence issues. I used to get so frustrated. He could accomplish anything when he believed in himself. So often I'd see him get close, only to fail. Why couldn't he just believe?" She took a deep breath and continued. "It's not easy, being a Weasley. They're good loving people, but you need a thick skin to be one of them. They show each other love with teasing and jokes. He doesn't have thick skin- a thick head, but not thick skin. But you can't show weakness, that only invites more teasing."

Hermione recalled a comment Mrs. Weasley said to her a few days past. "It's why he lashes out- defense. Trying to protect his soft heart. He's wanted so hard to be one of them: tough, funny, athletic. It's no wonder he struggled, trying to be something he wasn't. I wish... I wish I had seen it sooner. Understood sooner. Maybe things would have been different."

"I know what you mean. I didn't understand either, until it was too late. Or nearly anyway." Sigh. "He's loyal to those he loves. It's his greatest strength, though he doesn't see it. He's loyal to a fault. Even when his heart is breaking and he thinks all is lost, he never really stops. He gets lost from time to time, but his heart never really let's go."

Hermione's brow furrowed, the question had nagged her, but it had remained unasked. With a hesitant voice she asked, "Harry, what happened when he returned?"

He didn't look at her. "He saved my life, destroyed the locket."

"But between those two things? What happened? I know there's more."

Sigh. "There is more. But I made a promise to him. I can't tell you. Please promise me you won't badger him about it. If he tells you, it has to be when he's ready. Promise?"

She saw how serious Harry was. "I promise."

"Thanks." He decided to shift the topic. "So, ah, things going well then?"

Hermione smiled shyly. "Yes. It's been great. I won't say everything will be perfect from now on, but it's certainly much improved. Less bickering at least."

"Heh."

She turned to face him. "What?"

He had difficulty keeping the smile off his face. "Oh nothing."

"No, what's so funny."

"Just something Ginny said."

She wouldn't be deterred. "Which is?"

His cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "When you and Ron bicker, she has another word for it."

Now he really had her interest. "Yes?"

He looked at her with a forced serious face. "Foreplay."

Her eyes grew wide and her face and neck turned scarlet, but Hermione did not deny it. She just turned away to hide her embarrassment.

"I'm happy for you, both of you. Been a long time coming."

She composed herself before turning back. "Thanks." Her eyes looked out towards the orchard, perhaps beyond. "I really do love him Harry."

"I know. And I know he loves you too. I think he's quite lost without you."

Her focus returned to the yard before them. "You could say the same about me. When he was gone, I was just so... empty." Her shoulders slumped at the old memory, but then she remembered the friend sitting next to her. "Don't misunderstand, I don't regret staying, it's just..."

He shook his head. "I know. You're my best friend, my sister, but it's not the same. Without Ginny, I felt the same thing- this void that sits there like lead. I knew she couldn't be with us, but that didn't stop me from wanting her there. And Merlin knows I'm a poor substitute for Ron." Harry let out a sad chuckle.

A short laugh broke her sigh. "We really were miserable, weren't we?"

The shared memory brought a stillness to the friends. They both turned at scrape of the kitchen window opening to the left. The sound broke the silence.

"So, I overheard something about getting port keys. When are you going to Australia?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Not sure, soon hopefully. I just... I'm so scared Harry. What if they hate me for what I did?" Tears welled in her eyes and threatened to fall.

Harry wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "Never. You'll explain it to them and they'll understand. I'm not saying they won't be angry; I'm certain they'll be angry. You did alter their memories so you could go off and fight in a war. Any parent would be angry, but only because they'd worry. But they won't hate you."

The sniffles had started. "I want to believe you. It's the explaining bit that worries me, I'll probably be a wreak."

"Maybe. But you won't be alone, Ron will be there." When there was no confirmation, Harry pulled back to look at her. "I thought he was going with you?"

She sniffed again and looked down at her feet. "We haven't talked about it."

"Well I'm certain he'll go with you."

Her voice was tiny. "I can't ask him."

"Don't you want him to?"

"Of course I do. I just can't ask him. With everything that's happened, his family needs him. I can't ask him to go to the other side of the world for who knows how long."

Harry couldn't argue with her. "Well you're not going alone." He put his arm around her shoulders again. "I may be a poor substitute, but I won't let you go alone."

She offered a sad smile in gratitude. "Thanks."

"You followed me through fire, literally at times. It's the least I can do."

The best friends sat in companionable silence and watched the pixie's flutter around the garden.

Through the open kitchen window, Mrs. Weasley frowned with worry before returning to preparing supper.


A/N: As always, thank you to my reviewers. I always enjoy seeing who keeps coming back for more, but I really love when a new reviewer chimes in- word is spreading. I also see many of you have favorite'd this story and/or me and that makes me all blushy.

Thanks for Reading!