note: At long last...Last chapter. Short chapter. Download the song "Close your eyes" by westlife to get the feel of it. Enjoy )
Chapter 20 Close Your Eyes
"So you mean... Corner tried to force Ginny into 'it' at the Ball and Ginny slapped him in the face and ran," Hermione said.
"Serves him right," Parvati said.
"But why did you know?" Ron wasn't convinced, still sounding a little annoyed, "it's always like this. What's happening to my family, I never know. It's always someone else!"
Hermione knew Ron was talking about how she knew that the twins were skipping a year, while he didn't.
Harry glanced at Ron, thinking a second and explaining again, "Well, I knew it by chance. When Ginny returned here, she found an owl with a threatening letter from Corner," Harry pointed at the common room floor, "saying he'd get back on her for humiliating him."
Parvati snorted.
"It was then I came back here to find her crying," Harry looked up, hearing the Fat Lady letting in a few girls. The one he was looking for, not there. He continued, "So I asked her what was wrong, but she wouldn't tell. That's when she dropped the letter, and I read it."
"That's why," Hermione said, convinced.
Harry nodded at Hermione, "I promised to keep it a secret. Ginny didn't want Ron and the other of her brothers to know."
"Why?" Ron asked, quite loudly; sitting forward to hear the reason.
A few girls eaves-dropping jumped in surprise, Harry shushed Ron. Ron went red, and then whispered again, "...why?"
"You would have gone mad and started a fight with him. She didn't want you to get into trouble. And if that alarmed the teachers, she'd probably have to admit what happened between her and Corner to defend you," Hermione explained smartly.
"And that's embarrassing," Parvati added.
Harry nodded, thankful for their explanation.
Ron mumbled, not very convinced but having to admit he would have lost his reason as they said so. In fact he was still boiling with anger. Any moment he saw Michael Corner and his gang, he felt violent enough to kill them. But Ginny had insisted him on not starting a fight. Groaning, he fell into the sofa again. He looked up, glancing at Harry.
The Fat Lady let in more girls again. A bright girl ran into to the room with a few more friends of hers, strays of auburn hair flowing as she ran. She was taking a golden tray with her. Harry smiled a little at the sight of Ginny. Ron didn't miss that.
"You like my sister, don't you, Harry," Ron stated, more than asking. There was a grin on his lips.
Harry took glances at Ron, grinning funnily and glancing at Ginny again. His eyes met with Ginny's.
Smiling toothily, she skipped towards them and asked with a wide grin, "Chocolate cookies! I baked them with my friends! Want some?"
"Where did you bake these?" Hermione asked with a smile, taking one, "thank you."
Parvati thanked Ginny and took a cookie, "Mmm, delicious!"
"Thanks. In the kitchen, the house elves let us use the oven," Ginny replied merrily, pointing out the most beautifully baked one to Harry.
Harry picked up two cookies and handed Ron the more beautiful one while admiring the other. Ron pouted a little then took the cookie with a grin.
"She's sweet," Harry said, biting down at the cookie as he looked up at Ron with a small grin. Ron smirked. Hermione and Parvati chuckled.
Ginny looked confused, "She? You mean the cookie?"
The four boys and girls laughed.
The next day after lessons, Hermione was found studying in the library. Fred quietly approached her from behind and leaned down whispering in her ear, "hey."
Hermione, startled, looked up from her reference book quickly, coming eye to eye with the young man's twinkling blue eyes. Fred chuckled, putting his books down on the desk and pulling a seat beside her. He said in a low voice, "what are you reading?"
Hermione blushed a bit and smiled, showing him the words on the cover of the book she was reading, "Ordinary Wizard Levels – History, In the Eyes of a Wizard."
Fred got his eyes widen to the extent of dropping them. Then he smirked, asking her with a hint of mock, "Can't wait to study more, can you? Hermione Granger?" a chuckle followed as he flipped opened his books and notes.
Hermione grinned while she put down her pen, looking up at him, "You can't wait to graduate, can you? Fred Weasly?"
Fred grinned, but then the curls on his lips dropped slightly. He looked up, gazing into her eyes. Hermione knew what he was thinking. He's graduating soon if he passed the N.E.W.T.s, which meant that they wouldn't be seeing each other for a long time. Hermione honestly felt confused. She wanted him to stay, but also wished his success so he can walk on to his dream. Fred was feeling the same. Their gazes were locked on each other for a while, and then they both looked down at their books again. The atmosphere was very uncomfortable, until Fred gently held her hand that was placed on the desk, "Don't stop popping the roses every day, Herm," his voice was gentle.
Hermione nodded, smiling slightly; the odd feeling melting away.
The days flew by, Fred and George had already finished their N.E.W.T.s exams and the last Quidditch match they'd play in Hogwarts ended in great victory. It was already early March, and the day of the twins, to Hermione especially Fred's leave was impending. She couldn't help it but sigh all the time. No one could tell how much she was going to miss him, especially then that they were together. How much time do we have left? When would be the next time we'd meet? Where? How? All those questions were blowing her mind away. Still she didn't forget to pop a rose a day. Not to mention her noticing how not much roses were left. By the time it was only a week away from Fred's leave, she had noticed that all the time the number of roses had its meaning. There were only seven roses left --- it was a countdown. Hermione couldn't help but break into tears when she realized that. They had tried to spend every free minute with each other but it was barely possible with Fred having his exams and Quidditch trainings, and Hermione working on her S.P.E.W. issues. AND now there was only one week left.
Torrential rain was hitting her window panes and the wind shook the glasses between. It had been raining like this for many days then. Then there was a bang at her window. Hermione looked up in surprise. Something was banging against her window.
It was an owl. How did it fly here from the Owlerly in this weather?
Hermione crawled towards her window and let the poor drenched thing in. As if complaining for her hesitation to let it in, the grey owl pecked the top of her head rather violently and dropped something on her bed.
"Aw!" Hermione groaned, and then clasped her mouth in fear of waking her roommates. Parvati made a small moan but didn't wake up.
The owl landed on her drawer by the roses and fluttered its feathers until it was dry. Then it dozed off slightly, as if wanting to rest before leaving for the Owlerly. Hermione stared at it, not knowing to be angry that it messed up her corner of the room or pity it for its weariness. Then her eyes turned to the letter on her bed.
Hermione flopped down on her bed and tore off the envelope. Her eyes scanned through the neatly scribed words. The writer's habit showed to her at once who wrote it.
Dear Hermione,
What a night. It's been raining cats and dogs for ages. I didn't want to send the owl out in this weather, that'd be beastly. But the skies don't seem to get any better. I see you're awake; you have your bedside lamp on. Don't tell me you've been "day"-dreaming again at night, Hermione.
Hermione wiped her old tears and chuckled, trying not to wonder how Fred could see THAT from his room.
Well anyway, I hope you didn't fall asleep without turning the lights off coz this owl I'm sending you might die in the cold and I'll be really blaming myself for its death.
She turned to the owl and patted its head. It hooted slightly and dozed off again.
Enough attention on that owl, Herm.
Hermione widen her eyes at these words. Were they there before or did they appear because she touched the owl? You never know what tricks Fred knew.
And don't wonder if this letter's jinxed coz the answer's no. I just know you too well. (winks)
Hermione smiled sheepishly.
Meet me at the Astronomy Tower's door the coming Friday after supper. I've got something to tell you. Good night, sweet dreams. Love, Fred
The coming Friday? Hermione looked up at her calendar. Friday night, that was the night before Fred's leave the next morning on Saturday. What was he up to?
She looked at the letter again. "Good night, sweet dreams." Miserable she had felt a while ago, tears didn't seem to want to splash out any longer. Not that the depressing feeling was all gone now, the fact Fred was leaving wasn't going to change; but the letter did cheer her up. "Good night, sweet dreams." Yea, she knew she would have one, tonight.
"Fred?"
Fred looked up to Hermione's voice, retreating from swinging his leg unconsciously.
"Hey, Hermione."
"Am I late?" she asked, seeing that Fred had been waiting for a while.
"No, not really...actually, you're early," he laughed.
"So, what is it you want to talk about?" Hermione asked, now she was the one kicking the floor unconsciously.
Fred looked at his hands, and then looked up at her, clearing his throat.
"Hermione, did you..."
"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasly, what do you think you are doing up here at this time of the day?"
It was a shrill voice which no doubt belonged to Professor McGonagall.
"I...we..." Hermione tried to explain.
"It's nothing, Professor, really," Fred said at once, making a solemn face.
Both sides went into silence.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow and shot glances at one student to the other, "now go back to your common room at once."
It was an order, obviously.
Fred and Hermione followed McGonagall down the stairs simultaneously.
"I'm sorry," Fred said in a whisper. He'd gotten her into trouble.
Hermione waved her head meaning it was okay.
She didn't get to know what Fred wanted to say that night. Back in the common room it was far too crowded with ears.
Hermione went back into her dormitory to find one rose left in her glass vase. She sighed. She hadn't been able to pop this one rose that morning because it was such a pity to see it gone. She couldn't bear not seeing roses beside her bed.
Tomorrow morning I will, she promised herself. Fred will be leaving tomorrow. She wanted to at least keep the rose until then.
"Hermione, Hermione," a soft gentle voice called in Hermione's head, "wake up. It's Saturday morning."
Hermione opened her eyes to find Parvati peering down on her, shaking her awake, "you don't want to let the memory of your wake-up look be the strongest impression on Fred for the next few months, do you?" she chuckled.
Hermione shot up and scrambled to get her bathroom goods, "thanks for waking me up!" she called as she scrammed for a morning bath.
Parvati laughed as she braided her long hair.
A while later Hermione turned up in a bathrobe with damp hair hanging on her shoulders. It took her forever to dry and pamper her hair. Looking up at the clock she saw that she had only got an hour until Fred's train's departure. She was so grateful she'd chosen her outfit during the night.
"Don't you hurry, Hermione, we've still got an hour," Parvati comforted, putting on makeup unhurriedly.
"An hour isn't enough," Hermione replied, zipping up her jacket. Her eyes landed on the last rose by her bedside.
Enchanted it was, a brilliant blood red ever since it was given to her; never did it wilt, as ravishing as it was the first day she had it in her hands. And now this moment, she was to let it disappear into thin air, eternally.
Hermione took her time admiring the blossom until reaching out and touching it gently with a finger, wishing to burn it strongly into her memory.
"Pop a rose a day..." she whispered.
Her touch made it shiver and the flower faded away. To her surprise, there wasn't a pop, nor a candy like usual. There before her was a minute box wrapped with satin floating in the air.
"What's that?" Parvati asked, turning from the mirror to Hermione.
"I...I don't know," came her reply.
Hermione curiously touched the box, it landed on her quivering palm; and with a click, uncovered within.
A ring. It was a silver ring.
Parvati was so surprised her jaw dropped. But still it didn't compare to Hermione's speechless face.
Shivering worse, she picked the ring up. Simultaneously, a ballade started singing itself from the box. It was the same song she had once heard when Fred, being her secret Valentine, left trails of rose petals to her cupboard.
Parvati gave Hermione a pat. Hermione, still shivering, looked up at her. Fred, Fred gave her this. At once, she ran out of the room, grasping the ring tightly in her hand.
If you wanna know...
She ran down the stairs.
Tomorrow morning I have to leave
But wherever I may be
Best believe I'm thinking of you
I can't believe how much I love you
Fred wasn't in the common room.
All we have is here tonight
We don't want to waste this time
Give me something to remember
Baby put your lips on mine
Where are you? And I'll love you, forever
"Where's Fred?" she hastily asked Ron and Harry who were having breakfast at the Dining Hall.
Anytime that we find ourselves apart
They waved their heads. Hermione left without asking further. He had to be somewhere in the school.
You just close your eyes
And you'll be here with me
Passing through a corridor above the school entrance, she caught a glimpse of two red heads walking towards the carriages.
Just look to your heart
And that's where I'll be
"Fred!"
He turned around, stopping, "Hermione?"
There was no sign of her.
"Hearing things?" a seventh year asked him as he walked by. They were going to pack their things onto the carriage before leaving.
Fred nodded, picking up his baggage again.
If you just close your eyes
Till you're drifting away
You'll never be too far from me
If you close your eyes
"Have you said goodbye to Hermione?" George asked, nudging him in the elbow.
Fred waved his head, "I didn't want to wake her." It was half a lie.
"It might be the last in months," George reminded him. His words hit him hard.
I know I'm gonna see you again
But promise me that you won't forget
Cause as long as you remember
A part of us will be together
Fred turned; he knew he'd regret if he didn't.
So even when you're fast asleep
Look for me inside your dreams
And he saw her.
Keep believing in what we're sharing
Hermione, gasping for breathe.
And even when I'm not there to tell you
I'll, I'll love, love you forever
Their eyes met.
Anytime that I can't be where you are
"Fred..." She couldn't wait any longer. Unconsciously, she climbed onto the stone wall.
"HERMIONE!"
You just close your eyes
And you'll be here with me
Just look to your heart
And that's where I'll be
If you just close your eyes
Till you're drifting away
You'll never be too far from me
If you close your eyes
He caught her in time.
Is there anywhere that far?
Anytime you're feeling low
Is there anywhere that love cannot reach?
Oh no
"Are you going to scare me out of my mind, young lady?!" he shouted angrily at her in his arms, "what the hell were you thinking!?"
It could be anywhere on earth
"I..I'm sorry. I... just,"
It could be anywhere I'll be
Oh baby if you want to see
Fred didn't let her finish.
You just close your eyes...
His kiss was tense, passionate, strong...
And you'll be here with me If you close you eyes
Look to your heart
And that's where I'll be
If you just close your eyes
Till you're drifting away
You'll never be too far from me
Their lips parted slowly, both blushing fiercely. They would have blushed even more if they noticed the crowd cheering around them.
Hermione fluttered her eyelashes, slowly pulling away from him, her eyes not leaving his.
"The ring," she said suddenly, unfolding her hand, "I found it this morning." She said it apologetically. She then had known this was the reason why Fred asked her to meet him the night before.
Fred laughed, "I thought you would have mentioned it last night, but apparently I was wrong. Should have remembered you're the type that'd keep the rose 'til today."
She chuckled. Then said, "And, the song..."
Fred smiled, taking the ring from her.
"Hermione, no matter where I go, where I am," he toke her left hand, his voice calm and serious.
"Remember me. Think of me when you need me," he slipped the ring into her fourth finger, "Call me when you want to see me," he lifted his head, looking at her deep brown eyes, "And I will come to you. I will always think of you... I love you."
It was a day that Hermione will never ever forget...
If you just close your eyes If you close your eyes...
And you'll be here with me
Just look to your heart
And that's where I'll be
If you just close your eyes
Till you're drifting away
You'll never be too far from me