**A/N: Here's the next chapter ya'll! Hope you like it. Thanks for reading, please review!
**Disclaimer: All of these characters (and the world they're in) belong to the wonderful J.K. Rowling, I'm simply borrowing!
Yellow light peeked in through the curtains as the sun struggled to surpass the clouds in the sky above. Each morning had been like this lately, as the days grew longer, slowly but surely. Soon the air would be warmer and the sun will stand brightly in the sky. Ginny smiled to herself as she peered out the windows, looking forward to the new beginning that spring always brought. The Burrow was a beautiful place to be in the spring and summer months, her favorite time of her.
New beginnings were happening everywhere she looked. First Fred and Angelina, then Hermione, and now… it was her turn. She tore her eyes away from the window, gripping a steaming cup of tea in her hands. Her eyes fell on the note lying on the counter. She had read it more than a few times since she had awoken to a tapping at her window. She knew who that uneven scribble belonged to before she even began reading.
Good morning. I'll be in the office all day, it looks like I may have another job at hand … You'll be hearing back from me throughout the day though, if I have anything to say about it. When you get sick of me, just remember, you asked for it. –Harry
The sun was shining, and she received her first letter from Harry in quite some time. Today had to be a good day. She was sipping her tea in thought when a slight pop interrupted. Immediately, she turned to the clock in the kitchen, every one of the Weasleys were away from home, beside herself. With the newly established protection spells, there was only one other person it could be. "Hermione?" She called, setting down her cup, and pulling her robe around her a bit tighter. "I thought you were supposed to be at work?"
"I am. I mean I was, but I forgot my book. Have you seen it?" Hermione entered in a rush, her hair flying behind her, wild with curls. She tore through the kitchen bookshelves. Any papers lying around were tipped up and down, in hopes that they were hiding what she was looking for.
"Which book? You've left plenty here recently." Ginny laughed, watching Hermione run around the room. "Perhaps you should invest in a backpack?" Hermione glared at her when she got a chance, opening the cupboard above the sink.
"It's that one we used 3rd year, remember? Monsters Book of Monsters, a ghastly thing, considers werewolves monsters… I need it for an example today at my meeting." She turned around and surveyed the room. "I thought I left it on the table, with my notes. But someone must have moved it."
"Maybe its in the living room?" Ginny asked, making her way to the door.
"It could be…" Hermione whispered, running past Ginny. She opened a closet, and stepped inside, when Ginny heard a crash.
"Hermione!" She called, "Everything okay in there."
Hermione jumped out of the closet with a startled expression. "That wasn't me… I thought everyone was at work…" She stepping backwards a few steps towards the fireplace. "I should go…"
Ginny shook her head. "No that must have just been Pig. Ron normally lets him out during the day, he can be a klutz." She watched as Hermione's eyes rolled at the sound of Ron's name. It seemed like the perfect opportunity. "So, speaking of Ron, what happened with you two? One minute you're sitting out on the porch in the snow with him and then next you can't be in the same room."
Hermione snorted lightly. "I don't feel like talking about it Ginny, you know your brother. He can be a right git some days. And I've had enough." Her hands flew on her hips, in frustration. "I suppose I'll have to go and hope Flourish and Blotts has one. I'm sure I bought the last copy earlier this month though… They're quite dangerous to keep in stock, you know?"
Ginny simply said, "Mhm" half-heartedly. She hoped she could annoy Hermione enough with the thoughts of Ron to get her to spill something. "You know, Ron may have a copy."
"I would prefer not to borrow anything from Ron, thanks." She glanced at her muggle watch. "Only an hour before the presentation… Maybe Harry still has his copy."
Ginny shook her head. "Yeah, but its probably packed away some where. It'd be easier just to go with Ron's copy upstairs. He won't be home for a while, if that's what you're worried about." Ginny tried again.
Hermione's voice grew high, "I don't particularly care when Ron gets here. His business is his business, just as mine is mine." She picked up a blanket from the couch and began folding it. "Of course, he's never been able to understand that concept." She said in a huff. Her movements were slow and precise, smoothing out every crease.
"Oh no, did he say something out of line again?" Ginny said trying her best to act surprised. She never actually thought her brother would take her advice; he'd push Hermione away before he'd ever actually tell her the truth. Some days she wondered why he was put in Gryffindor…
Hermione sat the blanket on the couch again, evening out the wrinkles before taking a seat next to it. "Of course he did, he absolutely hates Caden. Or maybe he just hates that I'm happy. I can't tell which. It's infuriating. There we were having an actual conversation about love and-"
"You talked about love?" Ginny's jaw dropped, maybe he had told Hermione the truth and she… got mad? No. It couldn't be.
"Well, yes," Hermione's eyebrows crinkled together. "Only a bit, until he brought up Lavender and how he was so in love with her." Her voice grew so quiet that Ginny almost didn't hear. However, her laughter told all that she had.
"You've got to be kidding," She said through gasps. "Ron in love with Lavender? Come on Hermione, there is no way." Hermione glared are her. "I mean, she showed interest in Ron, which was what he needed, he wasn't in love."
Hermione shrugged, "There was no one else he could have been talking about. He said there was someone in his past that he thought he was in love with, but he didn't figure it out until it was too late. Who else could it be?"
Ginny's eyes popped at the sound of Ron's honesty. She opened her mouth to speak when Hermione held up her hand. "No, don't even tell me who you think it is. I don't care. I'm through putting up with him. After all I've done for him, he decides to thank me by telling me that I'm ruining my life getting married. It's absurd. And he even tried to wrap you all up in the mess as well."
At that moment, Hermione stared at Ginny pleadingly. Ginny knew what it was she wanted to hear. Her eyes were filled with angry, and yet, something else, uncertainty maybe? Even though Ron had spoken the truth, more harshly than Ginny believed, she couldn't tell Hermione that, could she? "I'm sorry he said those things. I've told you before, if you think this is a good idea, the wedding I mean, then I believe you. It's your choice, right? No one else's."
Hermione bowed her head, closing her eyes. "Yes, it's my life. That's exactly what I told him. Apparently he doesn't care. Git."
"Hermione, you know he cares… if he didn't, he wouldn't bother saying anything to you, would he? Ron just has trouble sometimes putting all he feels into words we'd understand. You know that better than most." Ginny said with a few steps closer to Hermione. She took a seat in front of the fireplace. "But, I don't think you know Ron as well as you think you do. Lavender was nothing, just as his crush on Fleur was nothing. If he was in love as he said once upon a time, maybe he kept it from you… Didn't you say that he didn't even know what he was feeling until it was too late?"
"Yes. But like I said, I don't care. I've decided its probably better for my sanity if I didn't." Hermione stated, pushing herself up from the couch. "Can you tell me where Ron's book is? I can't chance not having it for my meeting…"
Ginny smiled weakly, "Of course. Its in his room…" She paused a moment, as she remembered a valuable piece of information. If she told Hermione, there was no going back. She wouldn't technically be betraying Ron's trust, she'd only help him along a bit. Its what he wants after all… "In his chest of drawers, in the bottom drawer I believe. And if you can't find his book, I'm sure there's a folder in there was his notes."
Hermione looked at her unconvinced. "His notes?"
"Okay, so they're probably copies of your notes." The redhead laughed, "They'll be helpful either way."
Hermione glanced from Ginny to the stairs, then back and Ginny. "Alright, but only because I'm running short on time. I'll owl you later." Hermione smiled, grabbing onto the stair's railing.
Ginny grinned, "Have fun. I better get ready for work too." With a wave she went to empty out her teacup.
Hermione took the stairs two steps at a time. When she neared Ron's door, butterflies erupted in her stomach. She knew he wasn't home, but all she could think about was their last fight. She hated that they always seemed to end up here, not on speaking terms. He knew just what to say to her to make her stark angry. She closed her eyes as she pushed his bedroom door open.
Pig hooted loudly when she entered causing her to jump back a step. She raised her hand to her chest, startled. Before she could say anything, he flew over and perched himself on top of the chest of drawers Hermione was about to search through.
"I know I'm not supposed to be in here. But he won't even notice it's gone." Hermione reasoned with the bird. He stared at her with large eyes, and hooted again. Hermione shook her head. "He won't mind. I'm sure half these notes are mine anyway…" She continued as she stood resignedly in front of the drawers.
Hermione crouched towards the floor. Her hand hesitated at the bottom drawer, her fingers barely curled around the handles. She couldn't help but think this was an invasion of privacy. Ron never went snooping through her belongings… And to make it worse, they weren't even talking to each other.
Pig hooted again from above her head. She gazed up at him through her eyelashes and whispered, "It's only a book" before pulling the drawer open completely.
It looked as though a tornado had swept through recently. Papers lay all over, accompanied by various books and trinkets from the past. Hermione peeled through the old owls from Hogwarts, chocolate frog cards, and Chudley Cannon game favors, trying to find something that looked remotely useful. There was no book, but she did see the folder Ginny must have been talking about. It was odd; the folder was the only item that looked as though it had been organized recently.
Hermione was just about to open it when Pig flapped his winds wildly, and began flying about the room. The sudden movement caused Hermione to fall from her crouched stance, allowing the contents of the folder to scatter on the floor. She glared at Pig who had begun to fly in circles not far from Hermione's head. "I do not have time for this Pig-" She started, pausing as she took in the papers and clippings beside her.
There were so many. Some were of Ron's articles written for the Prophet, the Chudley Cannons big game, but most had nothing to do with sports at all. Hermione picked up the one closest to her. She stared at herself standing beside Kingsley Shacklebolt at a press conference. She was smilingly happily. Hermione remembered that day well; it was the first conference she was able to attend because she added a considerable amount of research gained from S.P.E.W. Ron had teased her nonstop about that day…
She set that picture back in the folder, along with a few more of Ron's. Then she saw it, the pile the S.P.E.W picture had come from. Underneath a Quidditch review was a large stack of newspaper clippings, all of which had some mention of Hermione or her various projects. She hadn't been in many articles, but the ones she had were sitting in front of her now. Most were recent, but there were a few, by Rita Skeeter, from as far back at 4th year.
Hermione narrowed her eyes, thoroughly bewildered. None of the papers in here were of Harry or Ginny. Ron hadn't kept mementos of either of them, only her… and for such a long time.
"Hermione?" A voice called from the stairs. "Did you find it?"
Hermione swallowed hard, taking one last look at the scattered mess in front of her, before gathering them up at top speed. "No Ginny, nothing's up here…" She trailed off. In her haste, she had forgotten a clipping. There stood Caden with his arm around her, placing a light kiss on her head. Their engagement announcement. The edges were rough, as though they had been ripped from the paper, instead of carefully cut like the others. If he was in love as he said once upon a time, maybe he kept it from you… Didn't you say that he didn't even know what he was feeling until it was too late?
Pig hooted again. Startled, Hermione quickly stuffed the filled folder back into the drawer and slammed it shut, all the while glaring at the bird. "Yeah, yeah you told me so, right?" She mocked, opening the door. Ginny met her at the bottom of the stairs.
"So no luck?"
"Yes- No, I mean no, no luck." Hermione stumbled over her words, trying to smile at Ginny, although her thoughts were any where but on that book.
"You okay?" Ginny asked her arms crossed in front of her. Her eyebrows rose as Hermione's face reddened.
Hermione waved her off, shielding her face. "Yup… Got to go, see you later, Gin." And with that she was got in a 'pop'.
Ginny watched Hermione go, a smile forming on her lips.
Footsteps sounded from the kitchen, Ginny turned to see the approaching Weasley. "You look quite happy little sis." George said from the doorway with a sandwich in one hand. He leaned to one side in a questioning manner. "Was that Hermione?"
Ginny nodded. "And I am quite happy, thank you."
George chuckled, "Any idea on what the fuss is all about with her and Ron? Mum's been asking nonstop, it's like she thinks Fred and I still live here."
"Ron just said something we've all been thinking… You know, I wish they would both see the light soon. But I figure, they may need a little push." Ginny answered, her grin growing.
"Sounds like someone else I know. Weasley's are so stubborn." George remarked, nudging Ginny's shoulder.
"Only this time, no need for your buddy invention. I think I may have just opened a door for them. You and Fred aren't the only smart ones in the family." Ginny added, with a glance towards the clock. "I've got to go."
George nodded, taking a seat on the couch and took a large bite of his lunch. "Good thing you came up with something, you know, because our spell doesn't exist." He said casually.
Ginny, who was standing before the fireplace ready to floo, turned on the spot. "What? But you said-"
"We had to say something didn't we. We may not be the only smart ones in the family, but we're by far the smartest." He said with a large grin.