Okay, I KNOW that I do not update enough and I KNOW that this chapter is TOO short, but I am planning on writing the next one very soon. Between wedding planning, student teaching, and keeping up with life... it has been a struggle. I have some great ideas for the next couple of chapters so I will probably get them out in the next week. Thanks for all of the reviews you have been leaving!
Harry sure was glad wizards could enter a home other than through the front door. He had a feeling Ginny with still over at Ron and Hermione's but there was no way to be sure. He was starting to get a sinking feeling in his stomach and worried that his exit may not be as smooth as he planned. He found his large travel bag under the bed and opened it up. A pair of pants and two shirts still lay folded in the bag from his trip many months ago. He moved about the room, gathering the clothing and miscellaneous items he would need for his excursion. Harry tried to pack light even though he would be gone for about a month, he would find a way to do laundry.
Ginny glanced at the clock. 5:00 o'clock. "Wow, we have been talking forever!" She smiled at Hermione. "I better get going! I need to pick up James and then get home to start dinner."
Hermione nodded her head. "I as well need to start dinner. Ron is a hungry man."
Hermione helped Ginny gather her things and the two friends embraced.
Ginny gave an extra squeeze at the end and pulled away. "Thanks for lunch Hermione. It was wonderful."
Hermione saw Ginny out the door and closed it behind her with a sigh. She was worried about her dear friend; well both of her dear friends in this case. She, Ron, Harry, and Ginny had been through so much together and she would hate to see it all fall apart.
She had barely walked away from the door when Ron appeared in the den.
"Where's Ginny!?"
He looked flustered, his eyes wide."
"She just walked out the door Ron, what's wrong?" She began waddling towards him.
"What kind of witch uses a door?!" He looked around the room frantically, his voice paniced.
Hermione cocked her head. "Would it have matter?"
He shook his head no. "I need to get to Harry and Ginny's house now. I'll be back…."
Hermione grabbed Ron's arm. "RON! What is going on? Did something happen to Harry today?"
Ron relaxed his look. "No but something is about to. Harry is planning on running out on Ginny for a month and I need to stop him before he makes the biggest mistake of his life."
Hermione put her hands to her heart. She felt great pain for Ginny. Tears welled in her eyes. "No! I must go with you Ron. I need to be there for Ginny. She is in enough pain over the situation and I cannot bear to leave her alone when she finds out what is going on. Maybe I should call her back with a patronus, say it is an emergency?"
Ron shrugged, his eyes growing wild again. "I don't know! We need to move quickly though! What if he is packed a headed out as we speak, take my hands"
Hermione grabbed Ron's hands and held tight as they slipped into darkness. They were quite capable of doing this alone but it felt comforting to hold on to each other.
The darkness disappeared leaving Ron and Hermione in Harry and Ginny's living room. The downstairs was dark except for the last rays of the setting sun streaming through the curtains. Ginny had not yet come home from picking up James. Hermione used her wand to light a nearby lamp.
"'Mione!" Ron whispered. "I am going to head upstairs to see if he is home and packing." With that said he quietly made his way out of the living room and disappeared up the stairs.
Hermione slipped into the kitchen and used her wand to light several small lamps around the ceiling. She fiddled her fingers unsure of what to do. All she could do is wait for Ginny to arrive. Should she tell her the truth right off? Or should she make up an excuse and hope Ron talks Harry out of leaving.
Ron made his way up the stairs. He could see light streaming from the main bedroom and he could hear movement around the room. He hesitated on the top stair, taking in a deep breath, and barged into the room.
"Ron? What's wrong?" Ginny sat on the bed, Albus cradled in her arms. "And don't come barging in here like that, James didn't have an afternoon nap so laid him down for a short nap before dinner. I swear, if he wakes, you can have him for the night!" She smiled at him and let out a quiet laugh.