Chapter 11
AN: An update after almost a week! I am really sorry…got busy with college work…and I can't really write the exact style in which Hagrid talks so please bare with it.
"Merlin! I hate this place, and I hate being friends with two morons who simply never care." Muttering Hermione Granger hurried through the unbearable crowd of Diagon Alley. Carrying too many bags and having no time to magically reduce them when she was about to apparate back home frustrated, there was not much of a delicate tap on her shoulder. Even before she could turn around completely she saw the huge figure standing behind her. "Hagrid, what a surprise, how have you been? You never replied to all the letters I send you!" Hermione said in a gush. Hagrid smiled at her fondly and without asking took all her bags from her hand, "let not stand in ther way of everybody now." They stood aside, which didn't make much of a difference for Hagrid. They had a brief conversation about their respective whereabouts and some updates on what was happening with the others. In between all this Hermione had taken one bag at a time a reduced it. Having found some relief with her now empty hands Hermione looked around thinking what's to be done next, that's when she found the morons she was talking about earlier. They were walking towards her laughing about something Hermione was sure was lame and she rolled her eyes at their idiocy. Hermione stood put, with her hands on her hips and eyebrows raised. When the boys spotted her they realized it was not going toturn out well. They reached where she stood and were grinning sheepishly with Ron trying to look everywhere else but at Hermione and Harry trying his best to think of some topic that will keep Hermione away from whatever had her annoyed. At last she huffed when the boys could not gear up their Gryffindor spirit and started walking towards a nearby café, and the boys of course tagged along. When seated Hermione started, "Am sure you must be in the Three Broomsticks, drooling over some new model of a Firebolt or Nimbus?!...Honestly, you two need some maturity…I was all alone in the book shop buying All Our books at once…do you care a bit considering how many 'heavy' books I had to carry and then go to the dress shop and contemplate what your size of robes I must buy. I wouldn't be complaining if you hadn't promised me to be there at the books shop…lucky me, Hagrid came around and helped me with all those bags…I am truly disappointed with the two of you." After staring at the other for a full minute Harry opened his mouth to speak but didn't get to say a word, "Harry, I am not interested in listening to how sorry you two are…both of you better show it from your actions from now on…that is if you're really sorry…right now I am hungry so let me get something for my poor tummy." With that Hermione turned to get the attention of a nearby waitress and the tension around them disappeared once food and talks got in flow.
Later that night the Burrow seemed like the times before Voldemort had returned and other stuff happened along with it. Light hearted conversations and the delicious food smelled all too good for everyone to get on any kind of serious and Hermione had gone to stay with the Weasley's for the weekend and had covered up most of their school shopping and other too. Ginny came in the living room holding a plate of steak and offered Harry for first Harry hesitated but took a spoonful and nodded, "it's good." Ginny smiled brightly and turned around flashing her red hair almost slappingthem on Harry's face while doing so. Watching all this Hermione really felt weird in the pit of her stomach and was wondering if she would be able to ignore and let go of such small encounters between her boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend. As much as she wanted to not be like an annoying girlfriend, keeping an eye on her boyfriend and other such things, she could really not help feeling possessive specially because she had a strong suspicion that Ginny had not gotten over Harry nor was she trying to accept the fact that she and Harry couldn't work out also the fact that Harry was now with her was difficult for Ginny to digest.
After dinner everyone retired for bed except Harry who was in some deep conversation with Mr. Weasley and Ginny shuffling in the kitchen with her mother as well as Ron and Hermione sitting around the small table in the backyard under the star lit chuckled resting her chin on her palm and looking at nothing in particular when she turned to Ron to witness his questioning eyes, she said, "wouldn't this scene be more acceptable if we were together now and so were Harry and Ginny…funny how we are distributed around the house right now…you and I are here, Harry talking with your dad and Ginny in the kitchen with your mum?" "Maybe…but it would have been more like it if you and mum were in the kitchen with me talking to dad and Harry and Ginny sitting here outside." Ron said raising his eyebrows in question at the end of his nodded and hummed in agreement. "I know you feel kinda weird and maybe even insecure with Ginny when it comes to Harry, right?" taken a back with this observation from Ron's side, Hermione stared at him finding no words for an appropriate response. Ron shook his head at her blankness and said, "That's how I use to feel about you and Harry back then." "Oh Ron…we didn't mean to hurt..." Hermione was cut short when Ron placed a firm hand on hers and simply shook his head. He didn't require any words to get his point through; Hermione could see all the understanding in his blue eyes which she still loved to look at when they were happy. "I know the difference between myself and Harry…right now if he sees us like this 'hand in hand' he would not doubt it and even if he did…the moment you two get a chance, you will talk things through. I don't know what kind of a brother it makes me look like when I say this but even I think that Ginny might be trying to get Harry's attention you know…" rendered speechless once again Hermione simply nodded, Ron patted her one last time and withdrew his looked back at the almost dark house only a bit of light coming from the window at the stairs and through the kitchen's back door. When she was about to look away Harry came outside jogging a little. Harry sat beside Ron and across from Hermione. "What the hell took you so long?" Ron asked looking curious and irritated at the same time. "Nothing, just talking about the 'to be minister of magic' and other job options other than auror and Quidditch." Harry said looking intensely at Hermione, who had to look away, unable to take Harry's stare. Surprised Ron only nodded and said, " I have no idea what I wish to do after this final year at Hogwarts…Voldemort really gave us some work to do in our free time, now I feel like I have nothing else to do…except for eating and sleeping." At this Harry and Hermione blankly stared at Ron and then the trio burst into a fit of laughter. An hour went by in a similar manner…lame jokes were cracked by even Hermione and the three of them laughed at them so hard that it was difficult to remain on the chair as they did so.
Ginny was pacing the length of her room stopping every now and then at the window to look down at the trio sitting in the backyard having fun laughing about Merlin knows what. Only if she could join them…be a part of them…by being Harry's girlfriend and not his best friend's sister! She wondered 'how Hermione could be so pathetic…sitting with two people she almost shagged'…even if Ginny knew there was nothing much between Hermione and Ron she couldn't stop herself from looking at every little bad thing she had. And right now in Ginny's eye, Hermione sitting with Ron and Harry so casually as if nothing was different…as if she was never Ron's girlfriend and isn't Harry's now…was a bad thing. Worst of all….Hermione and Harry were sleeping in one room IN HER HOUSE even if on two different beds it still bothered her that her mother could have permitted such a thing.
After Ron had left the couple alone, Harry scooted closer to Hermione and wrapped his arms around her…they spoke for a long time probably having a serious discussion and later talking and teasing….with Hermione giggling whilst Harry tickled her sides…at the end they shared a passionate kiss which was soon turning into an intimate one. Controlling themselves Harry and Hermione walked back into the house. The last thing which Ginny could take was to see Harry and Hermione in their love bubble.
The Weasley's should be glad that the house didn't catch fire overnight with the way Ginny's blood was boiling with all the pent up jealousy and anger she held.
AN: Do leave a review after your done reading please! It helps to write more and better.
