Chapter 13—Birthday's all around

I walked up to the Burrow, already hearing laughing a talking inside going on. I knocked on the door and after a few seconds, Mrs. Weasley opened the door and engulfed me in a hug. "Hermione, how are you?" she asked, looking me over like she usually did.

"I'm great! How are you Mrs. Weasley?" I asked her.

"Just peachy," she beamed. "Are you hungry, dear?" she started pilling food on a plate for me.

"I am, thank you," I said as she handed the full plate to me. I've learned to always come hungry to the Weasley household. I looked around finally and saw everyone already there and eating. Ginny looked up, and pointed to the empty seat next to her. That's a good start.

On my way I hugged or shook hands with nearly everyone there, giving Harry the biggest hug of all.

"Happy birthday, Harry," I say to him.

"Thanks, Mione."

"I'll give you your gift a little later." He nodded his head and sat down, and then I hugged Ginny.

"Don't try that," she said softly, pointing to a green mush on my plate.

"Why?" I asked, smiling.

"Fred made it."

"Ah."

Dinner was great. The whole night was great. Except that Ron and I hardly spoke or made eye contact that entire night.

It wasn't until I was outside, leaving, that he actually acknowledged me.

"Hermione," he called after me.

I turned around. "Ron, what is it?"

"You forgot your purse," he said handing it to me.

"Oh, thanks," I say. As he started to walk away I called his name and tried to think of something to say. Ron turned around again.

"Are you ok?" I asked, not really knowing where this was heading.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

"You just seemed, um…quiet."

"Well, what do you expect?"

"For you to talk. You usually do," I say, shifting my weight to one side.

"Things aren't normal now, Hermione."

Ron has never really been the type of guy that would open up very well. So him speaking this way surprised me a bit.

"Things are never normal, Ron."
"What do you want, Hermione? For things to go back to normal?" he asked, as if it would be impossible.

"Yes, actually, I do!"

I had no idea if anyone else could hear us. We weren't yelling, but we weren't whispering either.

"Good luck with that then," he said.

"So you just want us to never speak?"

He was at the door when I mustered up the courage to ask.

"Of course I do, Hermione." His hand had reached the door knob, and he was still facing the Burrow.

"Then what are you waiting for? I'm giving you an opportunity to talk right now."

After a few silent moments, Ron turned around, still holding onto the door.

"I'm waiting for something that may never happen."

Ron turned back around, opened and walked through the door, then shut the door behind him.

For something that may never happen? I wouldn't even know what he was talking about if I could guess.

My relationship with Ron had hit an all time low, and it affected me sorely I hated that we couldn't talk, but occasional owls were ok. I felt like I couldn't even tell Scott because he might not understand.

Despite what happened with Ron, Ginny and I went back to normal. I was grateful for that. But it didn't make me feel any better about Ron. I was becoming easily distracted in my own thoughts and I started to think Scott was getting tired of it.

"Hermione, what is going on with you?" We were about to have dinner with Harry and Ginny for her birthday.

"What are you talking about? Nothing is going on."

"Then why aren't you paying attention to what I'm saying? I've had to repeat myself all afternoon to you."
I took a moment to simplify the answer.

"I'm just a bit distracted, that's all," I answered.

"That's all?" he asked. "You've been like this all week."
I took one of my purses and switched it with the one I was already using.

"So, I can't have a weird week?" I asked, placing both purses on my table, and bringing one of my hands to the corresponding hip.
"And I can't wonder what's wrong with my own girlfriend?"

He had to say that didn't he.

"Of course you can," I replied. After a few moments, he walked to me and put his arms around me.

"Why is it so hard for us to talk to each other?" he asked as he grazed my back with his hands.

I shook my head a little, "I don't know, Scott.'
After another moment or so, Scott spoke again."
"You never told me how Harry's dinner went." Our arms were still around each other, but once he mentioned that dinner, I gently broke loose from him and smiled a small smile.

"It went fine," I partially lied. "You ready to go? We might be late."

"Sure," Scott said. He took my hand in his and we disapparated out of my apartment.