Chapter Seven
This Kind of Love and Happiness
February 1, 2001
I didn't like the idea of Aurors guarding outside my apartment. First, my Muggle neighbors might get suspicious and call the Muggle authority. And second, I don't like having other people risking their lives for me. So when Harry insisted to have Aurors posted at my place, I adamantly refused. In the end, we made a deal. Clearly my apartment's location has been compromised so I agreed to Harry's offer to stay at his place for the mean time – no Aurors.
I'm at the sofa going through different channels on the television when I hear a familiar voice.
"Harry?"
I turn the television off and crouch by the fireplace.
"Ginny," I say, my face breaking out in a huge smile.
Ginny's face is sitting in the fire. She still looks as fiery, now more than ever as the flames lick at her. I haven't talked to her in weeks with her tight Quidditch practice schedule and my, well, work. After she joined the Holyhead Harpies as their newest Chaser a year ago and especially now with the upcoming match against the Tornados in April, she barely has time to hang out with us.
"Hermione! How are you? I heard about what happened," Ginny says worriedly.
"I'm perfectly fine," I assure her, "How are you? I haven't seen you in forever!"
"Oh I'm so exhausted. Gwenog was angry today because Aretha couldn't catch the Snitch even after five hours. We haven't had a break since two. Where's Harry?"
Harry and Ginny have been together for two years. They tried dating secretly at first but were eventually found out when someone caught them getting cozy at a party. As soon as the whole Wizarding Community knew about it, Ginny has received criticisms from jealous witches and even graced the cover of Witch Weekly for that month.
"He's not yet here but he should be home by now," I tell her.
"It's okay. I was just trying my luck. But I'm really glad to see you. You have lots of things to tell me," she says quite seriously.
"Really, it wasn't that bad… except for the part where Greyback got away," I say.
"Silly, I don't mean that. Tell me everything about you and Malfoy! Blimey, I didn't believe what I was hearing when Harry told me you were with Malfoy when it happened."
"Malfoy and I are just friends," I tell Ginny.
"How did that happen? Did he apologize or something," Ginny asks me incredulously.
"No, nothing like that. We just happen to see each other a lot at work then he started talking to me. That's it," I explain.
"Unng," Ginny cringes, "I can't imagine Malfoy being friendly."
I chuckle at Ginny. She's always hated Malfoy's pompousness and arrogance.
"You really won't believe it. I brought him to a Muggle restaurant and he didn't even flinch!"
"That's bollocks! He hates anything that doesn't say 'Pureblood' on it," she exclaims.
That's when I decide to tell Ginny. She might hate Malfoy, but maybe not as strongly as the rivalry between Malfoy and Ron and Harry goes.
"Ginny, I need to tell you something I haven't told anyone else," I start.
"Ooooh, I love secrets," she croons.
"Remember that Muggleborn Healer who got attacked?" I say, when she nods, I continue, "Well, on the day when that news got out, Malfoy insisted to take me home. He started waiting for me and going with me until I Apparated home every night. That's why we were together when the Death Eaters ambushed us. I didn't put two and two together until then. I confronted him about it and he sort of admitted it."
"So he's protecting you from Death Eaters now?" she says in shock.
"Looks like it. But I don't know what reason he has. We really aren't that close. I haven't even decided yet if I've forgiven him for everything."
"It's far-fetched for Malfoy, but maybe he's trying to make it up to you? I mean, if word got out that you're friends with him, the rest of the world might just believe he's changed."
"I don't know about his intentions but… When he got angry at me, asking me what would I have done if Harry and he weren't there, he was acting like what a normal worried friend would do," I say recounting that last bit.
We both hear a movement and Ginny turns her head to look at something.
"Ginny, it's late. We have early practice tomorrow." I hear Gwenog's muffled voice.
"Sorry," Ginny whispers. She faces me again and says, "That's my cue. Keep me posted about this, okay? For the mean time, don't overthink. Just, see what Malfoy does next."
"Okay. I'm glad we had this talk. I really did miss you," I tell her.
"You're only realizing this now?" she says grinning, "Me too. Good night, Hermione. Please tell Harry I called?"
"Sure. Good night."
There's a pop and Ginny's face is gone. Only the dancing fire and its cackling sound are left. Then I hear the door click. I'm still sitting by the hearth when Harry comes in.
"Hey. You just missed Ginny. She called," I tell him.
"Yeah? How is she?" he says as he puts down his things and takes off his cloak.
"I think she's enjoying herself," I say, smiling.
Ginny sure was tired but she had a glow that tells me she loves what she's doing. It's like she's even excited about waking up early for more practice. I wish I could say the same about my work.
"I think so too... So do you think it isn't the right time to ask her to marry me?" Harry blurts out, desperately looking at me.
"Oh, Harry," I gasp, covering my mouth with both of my hands.
"I know we're too young, but it's perfectly normal for wizards. My parents married right after graduation. I just know that I want to be with her more," he says in one breath.
"I'm happy for you," I say, standing up to hug him.
"You don't think it's stupid," Harry asks when I finally release him and sits down on the sofa I vacated earlier, "And maybe selfish?"
"Of course not," I say, also sitting beside him and facing him, "I think it's staggering that someone can love another person so much that he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. You of all people deserve this kind of love and happiness."
"Thank you Hermione. Your approval means a lot to me," he says sincerely.
And it matters to me too because Harry's like a brother to me. He's had enough tragedy in a lifetime. It's high time that he get his happy ending.
"I think we should celebrate. I'll cook dinner for you," I declare, suddenly standing up.
Harry laughs. I've never been good at cooking. Once I tried making lasagna, Harry and Ron were my taste-testers. Harry tried gulping it down with water, said it was good with a straight face. Ron, on the other hand, choked on his food and sprouted, "Bloody hell, this is awful." After that, Harry seconded immediately, "It was really bad. I'm sorry Hermione." That's the kind of person Harry is. In a bigger sense, even when he's already having a hard time, he'll try to lie just to protect me.
"I'm kidding. I'll order pizza," I say, laughing too while I walk to the phone.
-o-
Two years after that night, I found a different but all the same version of that kind of love and happiness.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thank you so much for following this story, I hope I don't let you down :)
