Title: Promises Part 8/8 - End
Disclaimer: I don't have a J or a K and definitely not a Rowling in my name. None is mine expect the plot even if the plot is rubbish.
Note: (It's at the bottom)
The pain hit her first. Ginny's entire right side of her torso and her right arm felt like someone was constantly stabbing her with a knife. The worst thing was she couldn't do anything about it. In fact, apart from feeling the constant pain, she couldn't do anything at all. Not even open her eyes and she knew that she wasn't even breathing by herself because she could feel the magic pumping oxygen into her. A particular stinging wave of pain interrupted her thoughts so hard; it pulled her out of her consciousness.
***
Finally, the pain began to subside and the redhead slowly began to be in control of her body again. Without opening her eyes still, she tested by clenching and unclenching her left hand. After having no problems, she attempted cautiously with her right hand the same thing. Although it still ached to move it, she sighed with relief that she could actually move it.
"Ginny? Was that you just then?" The question was whispered so the redhead was unable to identify who it was. She tried to open her eyes to see who was speaking on the chair beside her; however her eye lids were still too heavy and refused to cooperate with her. As Ginny was struggling to open her eyes, she could hear a pair of old doors creaking open and high-heeled footsteps entering.
"Ah, 'ere you are, Minerva told me I would find you in the 'ospital wing." Ginny scowled, even though she couldn't see who it was, she could recognise that French accent anywhere. "Why is she scowling? She will get wrinkles at such a young age if she is not careful." The other person laughed.
"And since when did you care about Ginny?" If she could, the redhead would have smacked herself for not realising it was none other than Hermione by her side. Fleur let out a rather fake laugh.
"Do not be mistaken, I do not care about 'er, even though you declined my interest I still care about you and I can tell that she means a lot to you." Hermione's laughter subsided and a thoughtful silence replaced it. Ginny could hear Fleur's high heels walking over to her side, where she presumed Hermione was sitting.
"Ma cherie, why are you crying?" She's crying? Ginny thought, instantly alarmed.
"It's just I'm scared, Fleur, for Ginny." Jealously, Ginny could imagine Fleur stroking Hermione's hair, urging her to continue.
"It's been three whole weeks and she hasn't shown any progress in waking. According to some of the books I've checked out, with such a fall she should have woken a couple of days ago. What if, what if she won't wake up, Fleur? Ever again?" The brunette didn't give Fleur a chance to response as she continued, "What would I do? I never got round to telling her how I feel. Do you remember when I told you, I was going to tell her after that Quidditch match against Ravenclaw?" Ginny could hear a soft 'oui' followed by Hermione's bitter laugh.
"I was so sure that she liked me back - the blushing, the nervousness and that time when I could have sworn we were about to kiss outside her dorm. I thought I'd tell her that I felt the same and everything would be great. But then, but then after you left us in that classroom, she told me she's going out with Katie. And how am I supposed to compete with Katie bloody Bell out of all people? She's older, far prettier, and far more popular than me and understands Quidditch in a way that I never ever will." Finally the tell-tale sobs could be heard.
"And it hurts, Fleur, whenever… whenever I see them together, it's like a constant reminder of what was always suppose to be mine but isn't. And Ginny keeps trying to make… to make things go back to how it was before. And even though she never said it, I know she's questioning my behaviour around… around her. But it's not like I could tell her, could I, F-Fleur? More than anything, she's one of my best friends and I only want what she wants. And if… if I'm not what she wants, then so be it. She just doesn't understand that I can't get over her if I'm around her every minute like we… we use to be. So then I've had to resort to avoiding her which has wrecked our friendship since she must be under some bizarre illusion that I h-hate her and can't stand to be around her, when… when it's not like that at all. I know you probably think I'm being silly Fleur, but I love her. I-I really do. And since she has been unconscious I've told her this over a million times, but what's the use if she can't hear me?" The brunette could no longer continue as she broke down, sobbing hard on Fleur's supportive shoulder. If the duo had not been so focused on Hermione's words, they would have noticed a single drop of tear sliding down freckled skin and staining the pure white bed sheets.
***
Two days later
"Oi, Gin! Wait up for me!" The redhead rolled her eyes and continued walking into the Great Hall although at a slower pace. A fluster of red hair to her right signified that Ron had caught up with her.
"Bloody hell Ginny, it's the first day you're out of the Hospital Wing and you're back to your usual grumpy self already." Before he could continue, he was smacked in the chest by his sister's textbook which was accompanied by a "watch it Ronald".
"Ow, okay, sorry I was joking. Merlin, you're starting to remind me of Hermione. First the violence then calling me Ronald, next you'll be pestering me to do my homework or something" Ginny was absolutely caught off-guard with this and started to babble her excuse.
"What? That's just completely false. I don't act like her. And not like I care that you think I do or anything but I've always called you Ronald so if anything she copied me. And I really don't know what you're saying because I can't help being violent, I grew up with six brothers for goodness sake, what do you expect? So what you just said was totally crazy and totally not true at all, okay? Anyways why would I bother you about homework? Exactly, I'm into Quidditch and girls, not books and education, okay?" Ron blinked.
"Umm, all right, I'll just think about what you just really quickly babbled while you sit down and learn how to breathe again." His sister gave him a glare which he didn't say anything back to, just simply raised both hands, palms forward in a defenceless position. After they had sat down opposite each other, Ron still wasn't sure what just went on so he changed the subject whilst piling some bacon and sausages onto his plate.
"So anyways, what's going on between you and Katie now then?" Ginny who had been sipping her cup of tea, placed it back down slowly and sighed.
"Well you know before the quidditch match, you came to get us from the kitchen?" As Ron's mouth was too preoccupied with food, he simply nodded. "She broke up with me then, and the only people I've spoken to since I woke up last night were Madam Pomfrey and now you." Ron looked insightful briefly as he chewed his mouthful and finally swallowed to speak without spraying his sister with bits of his breakfast.
"Katie used to come to ask me how you're doing every other day or so. I asked her once, why she doesn't just go see you herself and she said something like there is always someone with you already at the hospital wing." Ginny nodded and started to butter her toast, but her brother wasn't finished yet. "I think that person was Hermione, you know." Her knife froze halfway up to her toast. Keeping her eyes on the butter, Ginny tried to feint a casual yet slightly surprised tone.
"Oh? Why do you think that?" Ron blinked quickly a few times then shrugged and poured some more tea into his and then Ginny's cup.
"Well, you know, I guessed and, I mean, it was pretty obvious. Like she really had that much library research to do every night, so, I just presumed she was going to see you." Ginny, who after so many years knew exactly when her brother was lying, raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Ronald, I think you meant something along the lines of, 'I used Harry's map to check where she was going every night, but I won't tell Ginny that because she'll then think I'm some sort of creepy weirdo' which, I already do by the way." Ron sighed in defeat.
"How is it you always know when I'm lying to you?" Ginny giggled and tapped the side of her nose.
"I've told you before; I'll never spill my secrets. Just call it a sister's intuition," The siblings both laughed.
"All right you, I'll find out one day. Oh and for the record, Harry looked at the map too, so he's just as weird," Ron grinned.
"Umm excuse me?" Ron whipped around to find a mock-angry Boy Who Lived beside Hermione. The tip of Ron's ears turned slightly pink.
"Oh hey guys. Harry, I was just saying to Ginny how we both looked at your map to see where Her- Ow!" He instantly sprung up, clutching his foot. "What the bloody hell was that Ginny?"
"Nothing, just you're talking more than you're eating so I wanted to check if you're functioning properly" Ginny gave herself a mental pat on the back for the quick excuse-making. Everyone around them who heard her joke laughed while Ron simply scowled and sat back down as he was very use to being the person who was laughed at.
"Very funny Gin, keep going and you'll be following Fred and George's footsteps." After he gave a big grin to show his sister he wasn't really angry, he turned to Harry and Hermione who were still standing behind him. "Well come on sit down, or do you two need to make some joke too before you'll do that?" They both rolled their eyes and sat down. Because Harry sat first next to Ron, Hermione had no choice but to sit next to Ginny. The redhead was careful not to make any eye contact with anything or anyone other than her very interesting fork. As minutes passed, the boys talked about Fred and George's new inventions while Hermione and Ginny ate through a very strained silence. The brunette, who could no longer stand the awkwardness, restraint herself from slamming her utensils down and turned to the younger girl next to her.
"Ginny we need to talk." The redhead feint innocence and carried on cutting into her sausage.
"What 'bout?"
"You know, what about, Ginny. I don't know why or how you know, but I do know that you know what we are talking about," Ginny finally stopped cutting and turned to Hermione.
"No 'Mione, I don't. Why don't you tell me?" Ginny said stubbornly, the brunette took a frustrated deep breath.
"Yes you do, Ginny. Stop pretending you-" The redhead had enough and cut her off.
"Why can't you just tell me how you feel when I'm awake and listening to you? For weeks 'Mione, that's all I've been trying to do. Talk to you. And it should be really easy to talk to me about things between us 'because we're best friends 'Mione. But no, you never said anything to me; instead you go and tell Phlegm of all fucking people in this world. You know I hate her, you know that, yet you still do it. Why can't you use some of that bravery of yours to say it to me instead?"
The whole hall was silent, eavesdropping in on their conversation. Ginny was extremely close to crying but she didn't want everyone to see her do so, so she got up and walked to the Great Hall entrance doors. She grabbed Katie who was sitting with her friends as she walked past the end of the Gryffindor table. Both girls walked in silence with Katie's arm wrapped securely around Ginny's waist, whose head was burrowed into the older girl's shoulder. Katie led them to sit in the quidditch pitch leaning against one of the posts. After being together for a while, Katie found out that if Ginny wanted to tell anyone something, she would do so in her own time. So, the blonde sat in silence while slowly threading her fingers through Ginny's hair who was had now tired herself to only hiccupping in Katie's lap.
"Katie?" Ginny mumbled sleepily.
"Yes, love?"
"Why do you still care about me so much? I broke your heart." Katie chuckled. Breaking, Katie thought, my heart is breaking that bit more with every tear that drops from your eyes.
"Just because we can't be girlfriends, doesn't mean I don't want to be friends at all Gin. Ginny? Ginny, you still awake?" The blonde shook her lightly but gentle snoring could already be heard, the blonde smiled at the sleeping girl on her lap fondly.
"But you know why I really still care about you Ginny," Katie whispered, "you can't turn off love. I can't do it to you, just like you never could do it to Hermione."
The blonde sighed and reminisced the days when she shared with Ginny. Katie was so deep in thought she failed to hear the footsteps approaching until the awkward cough was right beside her. She jumped slightly and turned to see who it was. Although Hermione couldn't help it, she felt a sliver of jealousy run through her when she saw Katie sitting there. Even though they knew each other, they've never actually talked before and Katie was unsure how to start the conversation. Luckily for her, Hermione spoke up first.
"Hi Katie, how are you?"
"Good thank you, and you?" Katie replied politely.
"Yeah same thanks," the way the brunette was looking everywhere but at the sleeping redhead on the blonde's lap was an obvious sign to Katie that Hermione felt extremely uncomfortable with their position.
"Look, Hermione. This," Katie gestured to herself and Ginny, "really isn't what you're probably mistaking it for. Gin was really upset about what happened in the Great Hall earlier and the poor thing cried herself to sleep." Hermione visibly winced at this.
"I didn't know how much this would affect her; I just wanted to sort out what's going on between us is all." Katie nodded. There was a moment of silence until the blonde sighed.
"Hermione, just promise me one thing," the said-brunette tilted her head in a questioning way; "promise me, you'll never make Ginny cry ever again, no matter what."
"Of course, I promise," Hermione replied seriously. Katie nodded again and gave her a tired smile before turning to the sleeping beauty on her lap and shook her lightly.
"Ginny? Giiiiinny, wake up sweetie," The redhead frowned and mumbled indistinctly, Katie shook her again, "Ginny, Hermione's here. She wants to talk to you." At the mention of the brunette's name Ginny darted upright. She looked up and met Hermione's gaze. They held each others look for what seemed like an eternity. Katie turned away, feeling like she was invading a very private connection. Ignoring the pain of seeing Ginny like this with another person, she cleared her throat loudly which brought the two out of their trance.
"I'm sure my friends are worried about where I've gone so I better go reassure them that Ginny didn't kidnap me," She gave a big smile at the two, "I'll see you two around." As she got to her feet Ginny reached out and clutched her hand.
"Thanks Katie, for everything," the blonde could feel the tears gathering as Ginny leaned forward slightly to kiss the inside her wrist. Not trusting her voice, she simply nodded and turned away. As she walked pass Hermione, she gave the brunette an encouraging smile. Both girls watched the blonde go in silence until she was no longer in sight.
Ginny patted the grass beside her, beckoning the older girl to come sit beside her. Hermione complied and leaned like Ginny was doing against the post and looked up at the bright sky.
"Gin?"
"Yeah?" Hermione bit her lip and changed her mind.
"Katie loves you."
"I know," the redhead sighed, "she's a great girl but I broke her heart."
"And why's that?" There was a brief silence before Ginny replied softly.
"Because I've always loved someone else, even when I was with her." Hermione blinked a few times, she could feel her heart beat increase speed. Tell her, the brunette thought, say it. Say it now.
"Ginny?"
"Yes?" No, I can't. I can't do it.
"That wasn't actually what I wanted to say," Still looking the clouds floating up ahead, the redhead smiled.
"I know" You can, you can. Use that Gryffindor courage of yours and say it.
"Ginerva Molly Weasley?" The redhead chuckled then turned her head to look at her.
"Yes Hermione Jean Granger?" Still looking up at the sky, Hermione plucked up her courage. Come on, Hermione, just say it. Its three words, tell her-
"I love you" Finally you did it. See? Wasn't that hard was it.
Ginny turned her head back around so she was facing forward. She tilted her head upwards and closed her eyes; a smile was slowly but surely appearing on her face. Upon hearing no response, the brunette frowned and glanced at her companion. Wait, you did actually say it out loud didn't you? She gently nudged the younger girl with her shoulder.
"Did you even hear me?" The brunette took a deep breath, "I said I love you."
"I know," Ginny opened her eyes at last and looked at Hermione. "I've been waiting for so long for you to say that, I just wanted to hear you say it again." Ginny smiled broadly, "I love you too. Always have and always will. I promise." The older girl would have leaned in to seal that promise with a kiss if she was not desperately trying to control herself from jumping up and down with joy.
"So," the brunette cleared her throat as an attempt to clear the thrill in her voice and at least look calm and collected even if she didn't feel it. "What happens now then Gin?" Just as the redhead smirked and opened her mouth to speak the ten minutes bell went off. The younger girl instantly scowled and cursed schools and lessons under her breath as she stood, pulling Hermione up with her.
"Well we have bloody class to attend, but before that," Ginny leaned forwards to claim the lips of the girl she had always pinned for. They would not have separated, if not for the two minute warning bell interrupting them again. Ginny reluctantly pulled away from Hermione breathing hard and groaned. Before she could even open her mouth, the brunette spoke up first.
"Don't do it Gin, I know you're going to give me your puppy-eyes and beg me to skip a lesson with you," Ginny looked away with a guilty smile, "and you should know better than to even think I'd do such a thing, especially with O.W.L.S around the corner for you." The redhead simply smiled and pressed her lips against the older girl's in a short but searing kiss.
"Do you regret being with The Bookworm?" Hermione asked in a half-joking tone. Ginny tucked a loose strand of hair behind the brunette's ear and looked seriously at her.
"Never. I promise I wouldn't want to be with anyone but you."
***
"By now, your potion should be dark purple and halfway finished. But by the poor standards of some of you," Severus Snape gave a sneer at everyone on Gryffindor's side of the room, "I will be surprised to find that you have even added the correct amounts of the ingredients. Potter," Snape's eyes narrowed further when connecting with Harry's challenging emerald ones. "I understand that you are by far gifted at potions but I don't suppose that you can at least read?"
"Yes I can sir," Harry said, gritting his teeth.
"Well, read the instructions out to me," Harry rolled his eyes and looked at the textbook in front of him.
"After stirring six times counter-clockwise, add five drops of salamander blood then…" Harry groaned, he had added one too many drops of salamander blood.
"And I stand correct as always. What a shame, you will have to start all over again," He flicked his wrist and all of the contents in Harry's cauldron disappeared, "and you shall have two extra feet of homework to do if you do not complete the Strengthening Potion by the end of the lesson." Upon hearing his frustrated groan again, Snape smirked with satisfaction.
"Slimy git," Harry muttered under his breath.
Unluckily for him, Snape had been expecting some sort of comment from him and had heard his remark. Before he could open his mouth to punish Harry, the old dungeon door opened and Hermione strolled in with the air of someone who didn't really care that they had missed half of a lesson. Professor Snape's lesson no less. Hermione flung her bag casually underneath the desk of where Harry and Ron were, who was staring at her open-mouthed in shock like everybody else was doing in the room. Snape was the first to recover, his shock changed to glee. How the smart as fallen, he thought, finally the day of being able to punish the female third of the 'Golden Trio' has arrived. And boy, was he going to enjoy every second of it. He masked his joy by using the monotone he had perfected over the years.
"Even though you claim to be smarter than everyone else, it is no excuse to miss thirty minutes of my lesson. That will be thirty points of Gryffindor, and where have you been Miss Granger," He prepared to leer at the brunette, but when she looked up and smirked at him, he stopped short.
"Well professor," Hermione said loudly, as if she was answering a normal academic question, "if you must know for the pass thirty minutes or so, I've been on the Quidditch pitch snogging Ginny, my girlfriend. I told her I wasn't going to skip a lesson just to make out with her and I suppose I didn't, it was just half a lesson that's all."
Silence. All heads whipped around to look expectantly at Snape. And for the first time in history, Severus Snape did not have a taunting respond. He opened and closed his mouth rather like a goldfish for sometime before he realised that nothing was going to come out of his mouth. Abruptly, he stormed into his office behind the teacher's desk without saying a word and slammed the door shut. The stillness was broken moments later by Hermione's laughter. So it is true, she thought, love can defeat all.
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My last words: And that is the end of Promises. Thank you so much for every comment, story alert, favourite, etc, hope you enjoyed this one and will carry on liking my other stories coming soon, thanks!
