Chapter 11 – Awkward Moments and Broken Hearts

The more I see of men, the more I like dogs.

~Madame de Staël

Ginny loved it here, she really did. It was beautiful. She could't believe how happy she was. Of course, she still missed Harry terribly, and worried for her friends, but it was just so peaceful here. She sighed deeply as she looked out of the window at the stormy sea outside. Truthfully, she had been dreading coming to Shell Cottage, she thought that it would be horrible, filled with awkward silences and disapproving looks. But Bill and Fleur had been great, fussing over her, always checking up on her to make sure that she was happy. Secretly Ginny thought that Bill just felt guilty for how he had initially reacted. Fleur though, had been the real surprise. Who would've expected her to be such a mother hen?

It was always, 'did you remember to take your potions?' or 'Oh no, you leave that to us, rest! You're haaving a baby'. It was almost like being back at home with her Mum. It was sweet really. Plus, the regular visits from Tonks were great too, they really helped to ease the boredom. Although, the witch loved to scare the bejesus out of her with tales of what she should expect in the months to come. Honestly, it was worse than talking to Trelawney. Other Order members would pop in occasionally as well. She had seen Shacklebolt, Moody, and once she even saw McGonagall. That was one of the single most embarrasing moments of her life. She had just got out of bed to go to the bathroom, still half asleep, when she walked slap bang into her old Head of House. She couldn't meet the older woman's eyes. She couldn't stop thinking about how the Professor would know that she'd had sex. Ew. Oh God, even remembering the incident was making her blush.

But, on the most part, Ginny was happy. She had starting showing, and the reality of the situation had hit her hard. She had a real-life baby inside of her. Harry's baby, and she loved it already. She really did. She had felt the first stirrings inside her yesterday, it was so faint, like tiny butterfly wings, and it was only for a second, but she felt it. It was such an overwhelming feeling , to actually feel life inside of her. It was terrifying and joyous all in one moment. She had instantly owled her Mum to let her know.

Knock Knock.

Ginny started. Who in Merlin's name could that be? All of the Order members usually Floo'd right in. She stared fearfully as the door. She called for Bill and Fleur, but she knew that they were both at the Ministry. She wondered if she could just ignore it?

Knock Knock Knock

Okay. Maybe not. She crept carefully to the door, and looked through the peephole.

Oh my God. It was Ron. Why was he here? Had something bad happened? Oh God she had missed his stupid face. She hurriedly opened the door and jumped on her big brother, enveloping him in a big hug. But he seemed frozen to the spot . That was when she realised.

He doesn't know about the baby.

Ron was staring at her stomach in awe. He looked like his eyes were about to pop out of his skull.

"R-Ron, are you okay?" Ginny asked nervously. Her brother had started to turn a worrying purple colour. And she was pretty sure that he hadn't breathes in over a minute.

"I-I but you – And , I- Just ..." Ron started spluttering, going on like this for what felt like a lifetime.

That was when he fainted.

Oh crap.

Hermione POV

Hermione was in pain. She didn't know that it was possible to feel this empty, but she did. She felt like she had barely breathed since he left. She could feel the weight of his absence pressing down on her heavily in the air. She hadn't spoken a word since she got back into the tent. She wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come. They just stuck in her throat, choking her , robbing her of air.

She shouldn't be surrised really, Ron had always been moody, and jealous and stubborn. But she had always thought that, when it counted, he would stick by them. She couldn't believe that he would just leave like that. That he would just turn around and walk away, when they needed him. When she needed him.

She had thought that they had been getting closer recently. She thought that all the whispered conversations, all the late-night secrets , had meant something to him. They meant everything to her. She trusted him with everything, let herself be vulberable in front of him because she thoought that he cared. She thought that they had both felt the same way. Obviously she had been wrong.

God , she was so bloody stupid! Of course he didn't care, he just wanted a warm body, and a bit of comfort. And here she was left again, crying, heart-broken over Ronald-arseface-Weasley! Hermione tried to get angry, tried to hate him, like she always did when he hurt her, but she couldn't muster enough energy for even that. She felt broken. He had abandoned her. Walked away like she was nothing.

And the frustrating part was that she missed him. She missed him with everything she had. It was so unfair, he had hurt her so much, ever since she had known him. But even now, if he were to walk back in that door, she would be happy. Deleriously happy. Bloody Ginger git. Stupid, stubborn Ron. Both the love her life, and the bane of her existance, and she couldn't live without him.

She sighed then. She hoped that he was safe, and happy. More than anything, she hoped that somehow, he would find his way back to her, she would be waiting. Like she always was.

She turned around and put the wireless on, like Ron would've right now. That was when she curled up in a ball and started to cry.