Thank you so much everyone for the awesome reviews! They really do mean a lot. I was worried about the last part of chapter 20 for many reasons, but I'm happy that so many of you have grasped onto what this story is about.
I would also like to apologize for the impossibly long gap between last chapter and this one. There was a holiday so lots of family around for Thanksgiving and… alright, I was really in a turkey and pumpkin pie induced coma. Sue me! But seriously, I was super busy then I got sick (I still am), but I'm back and so excited for the next part of this story to unfold.
Warning: Sorry, NO lemon, lime, or any other citrusy fruit you can think of. I will be back with the smut, but this story isn't all about where they're going to get it on next, you pervy people! (Me included.) I may have a few one-shots up my sleeve to satiate the need for some Romione lovin', so look out for that.
Also, if I may digress a bit more, I wanted to address one reviewer only because the person wasn't logged in so I can't reply any other way. This is to Ladyspencer22: You hit the nail on the freakin head, my friend! Your entire review was exactly what I wanted from that scene and what drove this chapter right here. If anyone wants to read what I'm talking about please look through the reviews for hers (I'm assuming you're female? lol) and you will get a better insight into my reasons behind what happened as well as for this chapter. However, I will say that I have no intention on their relationship becoming more violent at all. That is not where this story is headed! Thank you so much!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Chapter 21
"Stupefy!"
"Protego!"
"Expelliarmus!"
A moment too late with the counter spell, Hermione felt her wand being yanked out of her outstretched hand and watched as it sailed gracefully into Harry's. She growled in frustration and stomped her foot on the grass, well aware of the fact that she looked and sounded like a small child with a temper.
"Thanks," Hermione muttered through her teeth after Harry walked up and handed her wand over with a raised brow. She snatched it from him a bit too harshly and said, "Let's go again. I'll get it this time." She squared her shoulders and glared straight ahead in an attempt to focus harder on the task at hand.
Hermione was supposed to be practicing defensive and offensive spells with Harry, something they usually did while Ron and Ginny were working with George at the shop. However, even with it being a sunny and mild Friday afternoon, Hermione was finding it rather difficult to concentrate on anything but the events of yesterday and what happened between her and Ron in his bedroom last night.
That feral look in Ron's eyes as he slammed into her on top of his dresser refused to leave her head; it was heated passion that drove both of them to the brink of inflicting actual pain, and which gave her goose pimples just thinking about it. Her lip still felt bruised from Ron's eager bite, but, for reasons that Hermione would rather not confess, she refused to heal it. Making sure Harry wasn't looking, Hermione ran her tongue over the tender tissue inside her mouth and cringed, but at the same time felt better for it; the sting of his bite served as a type of deserving and twisted punishment - in her mind - for her massive mistake.
After releasing himself inside of her in such a wild manner, it was as if he couldn't hold anything else back; sobbing uncontrollably on her shoulder, Ron showed her a side of him she'd never seen before. He was vulnerable, open and raw with emotion. It had shaken both of them to the core and Hermione didn't know what else to do but spend most of the night whispering reassurances and affirmations of her love for him. As she thought back on the night she couldn't recall him saying much in response; only nodding as more tears fell until she watched him fall asleep.
The next morning Ron had left for work before Hermione woke up to an empty bed. Not knowing exactly where his frame of mind was at the moment was as a huge distraction for Hermione, thus preventing her from performing the simplest of spells that she could no doubt mutter in her sleep.
"Come on, Harry," Hermione said impatiently as she rolled her eyes and stomped her foot again when Harry didn't resume his position across the garden to carry on with their dueling. "I'm supposed to be helping you, remember?"
"Right," Harry said slowly and crossed his arms over his chest, wand tapping on his shoulder. "Hermione, if you don't mind me asking – and please keep in mind that I'm risking my arse being hexed bringing this up - but are you sure I can't help you? I mean, does this foul mood of yours have anything to do with that row you and Ron had yesterday?"
"What are you on about? I'm fine," Hermione said swiftly and tucked her hair behind her ears. Feeling that this was the end of their dueling session and not up for any more failure before lunch, she pocketed her wand.
Harry sighed with relief when he saw she was wandless and said, "Ron told me about you having a problem with the whole Auror thing. You can talk to me about it, too, you know… if you want. "
Hermione groaned as the weight of her lie and the anxiety that she has been battling for months climbed onto her back to join her mounting frustration and fatigue from not enough sleep.
"I can't believe Ron told you that," she said with a barely contained sigh of frustration. "I'm going to-"
"Don't," Harry said with his hands out. "He told me not to say anything, but I can tell there's more going on, Hermione. I just want to help."
"What else did he tell you?" Hermione asked, ignoring Harry's concern. She needed to know what Harry knew before she gave into the urge to spill her guts.
Harry looked taken aback by her question. "Er… just what I said. That you hate him and me becoming Aurors. Why? Is there something more?"
Hermione relaxed and pulled her heavy, sweaty hair off her neck and into a sloppy ponytail. "No, nothing else. Look, is it alright if we talk later? I'm a bit tired from falling on my bum all morning." She tried on a smile to quell Harry's doubts, but could tell by his unchanged expression that she wasn't fooling him at all.
Hermione was tired, but most of all she was emotionally drained. The last thing she wanted to do was talk about how anxious, incompetent and uncharacteristically weepy she has been lately. It was bad enough that Ron was privy to this pathetic side of her. No matter how much she didn't want to think about it, she couldn't help but feel that their relationship was still hanging by a very shaky thread.
Hermione wanted to believe that - in Harry's eyes at least - she was still that strong, confident, clever girl who could get him and Ron out of anything. She needed so desperately to see herself that way whenever Harry looked at her. She couldn't tolerate it if Harry knew that she had lied to Ron and everyone else, and was also seeking therapy. As much as she wanted to confide in him, and also suggest that he might want to do the same, she just couldn't bring herself to do it. Not now.
"Yeah, we'll talk later," Harry said with an edge of disappointment in his voice and a shrug of his shoulders. "So, you said you were hungry? We should-"
As if on cue an owl came barreling through the sky and hit Harry on the head with its rolled message.
"What the bloody- oh it's from Ginny," Harry said as he picked up the parchment from the grass. Hermione waited until the owl was safe outside the wards before looking back at Harry, who was grinning down at the letter.
"What's going on?" Hermione said.
"She wants us to meet her and Ron for lunch at The Leaky Cauldron. Says she got off and wants to do school shopping so don't forget our lists," he read and looked up at Hermione over his glasses. "You up for it?"
"Er, yeah… sure," she said and looked down at her watch. "I'll just… grab my bag, and our lists, and meet you out here, yeah?" After Harry gave her a nod she raced inside the house, past Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen and up the stairs into Ron's room. Closing the door behind her, she slumped against it to catch her breath.
It doesn't have to be awkward. No matter what he says or does, just put on a happy face for Harry and Ginny. He may still be upset with me, but after last night maybe…
Hermione honestly had no idea what to expect when she saw Ron next. The previous day was so strange with its ups and downs; the rollercoaster of emotions had rendered her confused as to the state of their relationship. She once again tongued the inside of her lip and groaned, waiting for the stinging to subside before she pushed herself up to stand.
At least she could say for a fact that they still had a relationship. Hermione hung onto that positive thought, repeating it in her head as she looked at herself in the mirror, studying her reflection. Her hair was a mess and her clothes were grass stained. She certainly wasn't lying when she said she had landed on her bum more than a few times, thanks to Harry's excellent dueling and her bewildered state.
Not wanting to waste more time, she searched the room and found a cleaner looking pink blouse that was shoved between Ron's mattress and a flowery soft skirt she noticed peeking out from under the dresser. She didn't bother to ask herself why so many of her clothes had found their way into precarious places around his room, or how she had slowly succumbed to Ron's messy habits. She allowed a small smile on her face and made a mental note to make him clean his room with her that very night.
After attacking her hair, Hermione relented to her curls' stubbornness to stay frizzy, and snatched up her bag and Ron's list of the supplies from his desk. She made a stop in Ginny's room for Harry's and Ginny's lists, and headed down the stairs.
Hermione walked through the kitchen and noticed Mrs. Weasley was no longer there before leaving the house and locking the door behind her.
"You look nice," Harry said as she handed over his and Ginny's lists.
"My other clothes were filthy," Hermione said with a wave of her hand. "Do you think I should find Mrs. Weasley? Tell her where we're going?"
Harry folded the parchments and tucked them inside his back pocket along with his wand. "She stuck her head out to tell me she was going to rest and I told her we were meeting them. Come on, let's go before Ron eats everything and there's nothing left for us!"
"You just want to hurry to see Ginny, don't you?" Hermione teased after she felt the surface of the wards around the Burrow shimmer through her body as she came out the other side.
Harry laughed and said, "You always were a perceptive one."
"Aren't you worried about people gawking at you? We don't have to go. We can send Ginny an owl with the lists and-"
"No, Hermione," Harry said gently. "I need to get out more. Let some of the mystery wear off, you know?"
Hermione regarded him with a look of respect and admiration. "Yes, you're right," she said, shaking her head. "I shouldn't be encouraging you to stay away. It will be better to have your face out there instead of people making up stories and having to guess what's going on."
"Exactly," he said and took a deep breath. Hermione could tell he was determined, but still nervous about going to such a busy wizarding area where everyone knew of him.
And here she was worrying about one boy.
"It will be great," Hermione said and smiled brightly at him. "You're with your best friends and I'm sure Ginny will hex anyone who comes near you."
Harry grimaced and said, "Shit, you're right. She would do that, wouldn't she? We better cancel."
Hermione laughed, already in better spirits. "We are not, Harry! You leave first and I'll follow, yeah?"
He grinned at her and took another deep breath before disapparating with an annoyingly loud crack. Hermione rolled her back and adjusted her blouse, unbuttoning the first few buttons to show some extra skin.
No harm in using what I've got to even things out a bit.
With that last thought her nerves won out as she disapparated with a crack loud enough to give Harry's a run for its money.
XXXX
The beautiful weather back at the Burrow had followed them to Diagon Alley. However, the tranquility and space that the Burrow offered on a daily basis were severely lacking as Hermione looked around the crowded and narrow path; the many open shops were packed with customers. However, it felt a bit more crowded than usual. She figured there would be less students returning to Hogwarts after the final battle on the school grounds. Although she shouldn't have been worried, an unsettling thought itched in the back of her mind as she noticed most of the population was adults, and not school age witches and wizards.
Before she could think more on that odd fact, she felt a tap on her shoulder and whipped around, her hand instinctively going for her wand before she found herself looking into the green eyes of her best friend, Harry Potter.
"God, Harry, you startled me," she said, fixing her bag on her shoulder. People were shoving their way around them, hurrying in opposite directions, as she and Harry stood idle in the middle of the cobble stoned path.
"I was calling you, but then people started to notice so…" he said with a nervous laugh.
"Nevermind," Hermione said distractedly and shoved him over to stand under the sign for The Leaky Cauldron.
Craning her neck and peering over Harry's shoulder, she said, "Have you seen Ron and Ginny?"
"Who's in a hurry now?" Harry nudged her with his elbow and laughed.
Hermione glanced at him and blinked rapidly. "No hurry, just… nervous."
Before Harry could reply Hermione felt two hands wrap around her waist and a large warm body press up against her back and bum. She jumped what felt like a mile into the air and made a loud squealing noise. She saw Harry smile grow wider when Ginny came into view, her vibrant red hair pulled to the side in a long plait. She was wearing a bright orange WWW t-shirt and jeans that looked much like the worn out, stained ones Hermione had chucked on Ron's floor just moments ago.
"Miss me?" Ron's breath tickled the hairs on Hermione's neck before she felt his lips press into her skin. She felt herself relaxing into his arms as shivers ran through her legs and up to her face. When she turned his arms didn't let her go, trapping her against his body until she was able to look up into his smiling face. He looked so handsome in his short sleeved blue and white plaid shirt, casually thrown over a shirt identical to Ginny's. Ron didn't look upset in the slightest as he continued to grin down at her. Actually, he looked to be in a very good mood and for that Hermione was much relieved. She felt like she had worked herself up for nothing.
"What's wrong?"
She shook her head and smiled back. "You just startled me is all."
"Constant vigilance and all that."
"Yes, indeed. Is this something new George is making you try out?" Hermione asked, tracing the letters across his chest with one finger.
"Do you like it? I picked the color," Ron said, beaming.
"Yes, it was all Ron's idea to make us look like bloody pumpkins," Ginny said from behind Hermione. She turned around and saw Ginny pluck her shirt away from her stomach and scowl down at the large black W's.
"Of course he picked this color," Harry said snickering. "Hasn't anyone told you red and orange don't go together, Ron?"
"Fuck off, Harry," Ron said with a smirk. "I don't see you designing dress robes for Madame Malkins, do I?"
"Oh, forget it," Ginny groaned and pulled open the door. "These two will go on like this for days if we let them," she said to Hermione. Hermione laughed and went to follow Ginny and Harry inside when Ron suddenly pulled her back by her arm.
"Hold on a second," he said quietly and moved them to a more secluded spot in an alley next to the building. Not that anywhere in Diagon Alley was private, but everyone was blocked from Hermione's view when Ron stepped in front of her.
"What is it, Ron?" Hermione asked nervously. She was not up for a row or a long winded talk about feelings and mistrust. Normally, she was all for hashing things out, but she felt like they've done so much talking lately that she was ready to tape her own mouth shut.
"Nothing," he said with a shrug. Hermione could see something mischievous in his eyes and couldn't help but smile at his lopsided grin, her knees automatically buckling against her will.
"So, let me get this straight," she said and leaned her back against the brick wall. "You pulled me away and are attempting to shield us from a mass of people, to just stand here in front of me and say 'nothing'? You are such a charmer."
Then he reached out and placed is hand on the wall next to her head and leaned in close, using his other hand to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. His grin widened and, for reasons that her heart understood before her head, she trembled under his gaze and touch.
"I just wanted a proper hello," he said and licked his lips. "You looked so beautiful this morning that I didn't want to wake you. I've regretted it all day."
Hermione made a moaning, throat clearing sound that made Ron chuckle. Whatever qualms Hermione had about Ron's feelings towards her must have been wrong. Either that or he suddenly became an expert at hiding his feelings, which Hermione seriously doubted.
"You did?" she said lamely.
"Yeah, I did," Ron said and his face turned serious. "I know you think I'm still upset, and honestly, I'm trying not to be. Everything that happened yesterday and what you said last night… I just-"
"We don't have to talk about this now."
"I know," Ron said quickly and used his free hand to rub his neck. "I feel like such a prat for crying all over you like that. I just wanted to say thanks and that I love you, too, alright?"
Hermione swallowed thickly and nodded; her heart racing and her hands shaking against her thighs. She should feel grateful, ecstatic even, at those wonderful words. Instead she felt undeserving and her stomach was in knots.
She closed her eyes as Ron leaned in to kiss her, his lips soft and warm as he pressed them gently on hers. He pulled away after a second, only to come back in again, his mouth more demanding and full of purpose, eager to show her instead of telling her how he felt. Hermione almost wished he hadn't because the suction of his lips on her bottom one made her hiss and gasp in pain.
Ron pulled back abruptly and said, "What the hell was that?"
"I… it's…" Hermione said, touching a finger to her lip, "from last night. It's nothing. It'll heal."
Ron's face hardened and he stepped in closer once again, moving her finger away from her face. "Let me see it."
Hermione clasped her hands together as she let him pull her lip down, a low groan escaping her throat as she felt the pain again. She stared at Ron without blinking; his brow knitted and his eyes flicked up to hers before letting go. He looked angry, but she wasn't sure if it was directed at her, or at himself.
"Why didn't you heal it on the inside? It's a simple spell, Hermione. I know you know it."
"I don't- I don't know. I just-"
"Here, I'll do it, yeah? Hold still," Ron said shakily as he pulled out his wand.
"No, it's fine, really!" Hermione pushed his hand and wand aside. She didn't know why she was protesting so much. Ron only wanted to help her, but for some reason the thought of the bite and its pain being gone made her panic.
"What the fuck, Hermione?"
"I told you, it doesn't hurt that much, Ron," she said angrily. "Just leave it. I don't need magic."
"The hell you don't," Ron said loudly. He lowered his voice to a whisper and leaned in closer to say, "I did that to you, Hermione! You know I can't stand the thought of you hurting because of me."
"I wanted you to do it, remember?" Hermione stepped off of the wall and glared up at him. "And further more…" She paused as she tried to get a grip on what they were rowing about. Demanding to keep him from healing what he saw as evidence of his ability to cause her harm suddenly felt completely absurd.
Oh, my god. What is happening to me? What am I doing?
"Why the hell would you stay in pain when you don't have to?" he said slowly, taking advantage of Hermione's hesitance. "That's fucking mental, Hermione, you do realize that?"
Hermione's moment of self clarification diminished as Ron's words and accusing tone of voice cut through her like a knife.
"What did you just say?" she said in a choked whisper, shocked that he had just voiced what she was already thinking. Her head started to pound as she stared up at him, her bruised lip quivering against her teeth.
Ron's eyes opened wide and he looked to be in his own state of bewilderment, but his red face and heavy breathing also told her he was still disturbed. "I-" he swallowed and pushed his hands into his hair, "I shouldn't have said it like that, but… what the fuck, Hermione. You didn't-"
"What's going on here?"
Ron quickly stepped away Hermione and they both turned to see Harry step forward from Ginny's side. The alley that they were standing in wasn't as crowded as the main road, but there were still people milling about, glancing in at them.
"Shit," Ron said, glancing at the growing crowd of people staring at them then back at Harry. "We'll be right in. Give us a minute, will you?"
"Are you alright?" Harry ignored Ron and directed the question at Hermione.
"She's fine," Ron said through his teeth as he stepped in front of her with his arms crossed. "I said we'll be in, Harry. Bugger off."
"Oi!" Ginny called from behind Harry.
"Ron," Hermione said warningly and put a hand on his arm. He shrugged it off, still glaring at Harry. Hermione glanced at Ginny who was about to say something else, but Hermione stopped her, shaking her head. Instead, Ginny took out her wand and cast a silencing charm around them. People walking through Diagon Alley were still pointing and staring, but at least they could no longer hear what was going on.
A flash of light bounced off the walls and they all whipped around at the same time, taking their wands out and pointing, a spell on the tip of their tongues.
"Shit, just a photographer," Ginny muttered as they all put their wands away. "Fuck off!" she shouted, despite the fact that she had just put up the silencing charm herself, thus making her demand ineffective.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Harry asked Ron as if they weren't interrupted, and not perturbed by the possibility their picture may end up in the paper the next day.
Ron rolled his eyes and leaned forward from the waist, a move that was an obvious jab against Harry's height. "Seriously, Harry… stay out of it. This is between me and Hermione, yeah?"
Hermione felt sick to her stomach watching her two best friends facing off against each other, especially knowing that it was her fault, once again causing trouble. She stepped in front of Ron and gave Harry a pleading look.
"Harry, we were just talking. We'll meet you inside. Please."
Harry glanced over at Ron, his gaze steely.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake, come on, Harry," Ginny said when he didn't reply, and pulled him by the arm. "Let them work it out."
"Thanks Ginny, always knew you were good for something," Ron called out as Harry was finally backing away. However, his remark made Harry stop and Ginny skid to a halt.
"Ron!" Hermione turned around and gave him a disapproving look. "That was very rude."
Ginny stalked up to Ron and pushed him hard in the chest. "You have a lot of fucking nerve, you know that?"
"Sorry! Fucking hell," Ron said then threw his hands up in the air, turning his attention to Hermione. "But this is none of their business." He waved his hand at Harry and Ginny.
As if to add to the tension, out of nowhere, drops of water started to hit her arms and eyelids. She looked up and the previously beautiful and sunny day was smothered by dark rain clouds. With the sun no longer in view, the drops– now coming down at a steadier, but slow pace – on her bare skin were cool and made her shiver. Only Ginny seemed to notice as the girls exchanged confused looks. It was strange to have rain so suddenly on such a nice day, but even more so when Hermione could have sworn there was an enchantment over Diagon Alley, preventing such an occurrence. She must have read it somewhere, but rationalized that perhaps she was mistaken.
Besides, the scene taking place at the moment prevented her from thinking on the weather any further.
"The fuck it isn't," Harry said, ignoring the rain, and walking forward again until he had to look up at Ron's long freckled nose. "Hermione is my friend, too, in case you've forgotten. You think I don't notice the way she's on edge all the time and you're even more of a git than usual? If you've-"
"Right. Because it's always my fault, isn't it, Harry?" Ron shouted and towered over Harry. "Hermione's upset, so Ron must've fucked things up! It's bloody raining," he raised his arms dramatically to emphasize his point, "so it must be Ron acting like a fucking arse yet again!"
"Can you all just stop it?" Hermione cried, her voice somewhat muffled by the sound of rain pattering on the ground.
"Harry, let's go," Ginny said, her words low and deliberate. If Hermione was Harry she would have left immediately after hearing Ginny's icy tone. But Harry just looked to side and spoke to her and Hermione without fully turning around.
"Ginny, Hermione, can you leave us alone for a bit?"
"I don't think-"
"No," Ron said and stepped around Harry to walk up to Hermione. His hair was dark with water, plastered to his forehead and temples, and his plaid shirt was clinging to his now brown looking WWW t-shirt. Still, he ignored it and said vehemently, "We still need to talk, Hermione. I'm sorry for saying that earlier, but there's something going on you're not telling me."
Hermione took a deep breath through her nose and glared up at him. She could understand him being upset with her given everything that was going on between them, but he was taking it out on his sister and best mate. This was not a side to Ron that Hermione wanted to witness any longer.
"I- I don't think it's best that we talk right now. Just… set things right with Harry then meet us inside." Before he could reply she turned on her heel and said, "Come on, Ginny. Let the boys have a bollocks contest and see which one comes out with his still intact."
She heard Ginny snicker and say, "Sounds good to me. Oh, and Harry, Ron's left one is the most sensitive. I've kicked there enough times to know."
XX
Hermione yanked open the door of The Leaky Cauldron and stepped inside, Ginny right behind her. The pub was filled with people waiting out the rain. None of them seemed as perplexed as Hermione did about the weather, so she dismissed it from her mind and mercifully found an empty booth in the very back, drying herself with her wand. Her mind was outside with Ron and Harry, but she felt she made the right decision to leave them alone. It was better for everyone that they split up rather than adding to each other's escalating tempers.
Ginny plopped down across from Hermione with a frustrated sigh. She didn't bother drying herself, only smoothing her wet hair back from her face before she sat up and said, "What were you and Ron talking about out there? I have to admit it did look rather heated. And not in a good way."
Hermione waited for the waitress to take their orders and walk away before turning her attention back to Ginny.
"We're having some issues, but they're mostly my fault. Ron is just upset," Hermione said as she looked down at her hands on top of the table. She could hear her name being murmured throughout the room and she immediately worked to tune it out.
"I hardly believe that," Ginny snorted. "He's a right pain in the arse, Hermione. I love him because he's my brother, but I will never understand why you do."
Hermione looked up and resentment filled her as she watched Ginny tug on her plait, her elbows on the table as she chuckled at Hermione. She fixed her with a glare as her hands gripped the edge of the table.
"You really shouldn't say that, Ginny," Hermione said defensively. "If you knew your brother at all you would know that he is brave and loyal, and actually very far from a pain in the arse."
Ginny's grin faded and her mouth formed an O as she looked at Hermione almost in shock.
"I- I know that," Ginny stuttered. Her eyes glanced around the pub quickly before looking back at Hermione. She then rolled her eyes and said, "I was just taking the piss, Hermione. Calm your tits."
"Oh, for goodness sake, Ginny, do you have to sound like your brothers all the time?" Hermione meant it as a reprimand, but instantly saw that Ginny took it as a compliment.
"I have no choice, don't I?" Ginny said, her smug grin returning. "Besides, Harry doesn't mind so I reckon I'll keep my potty mouth, thank you very much."
Hermione sat back and crossed her arms, thoroughly annoyed. "I had hoped that my influence would have rubbed off on you by now. Harry's at least."
Ginny laughed heartily and said, "Harry? Obviously he's a bit different with me than he is with you and Ron."
"I really don't want to know what that look was about," Hermione said shaking her head at Ginny's wiggling eyebrows. She tried to remain offended on behalf of Ron and herself, but she was finding it difficult when Ginny's infectious energy was trying to grab hold of her. The waitress had also returned with their food and the girls eyed their plates hungrily.
"You really need to lighten up, Hermione," Ginny said then took a bite of her sandwich. After swallowing her food, she pointed a chip at Hermione and continued, "Remember what I said about those wrinkles."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at Ginny, momentarily forgetting to worry about what Ron and Harry were up to.
"I wonder what's keep Harry and Ron?" Ginny said, turning around in the booth to peer towards the door. "And why are there so many bloody people? It's not even a holiday."
Hermione's mind clicked at Ginny's first question about Ron and Harry and that odd feeling she had earlier crept to the forefront of her brain at her last words.
"I was thinking the same thing," Hermione replied. "On both counts." She watched Ginny turn fully around in her seat, kneeling in the booth to get a better view of the door.
"I can't see a bloody thing," Ginny said, craning her neck. She then yelled very loudly to the crowd, "Oi! You lot, move it!"
Hermione ducked her head into her palm. She wanted to tell Ginny that she was the one being a right pain in the arse at that moment. Several people turned to look at Ginny, but not one told her to bugger off or shut it.
"Ginny, can you get down from there? Let's just go outside and get them," Hermione hissed as she stood up, her lunch forgotten. As she looked around the room she noticed right away how crowded it actually was, more so now than when they first walked in. She understood why Ginny felt the need to shout at them.
There had to be about two dozen witches and wizards standing around talking with one another. Even more filled up the booths, tables and the bar. However, it wasn't just the amount of people present that made Hermione's neck hairs tingle or what caused her and Ginny to share an almost startling glance at one another.
It was the fact that, the same as Hermione had noticed outside, these people were also all adults. Not just that, but the way in which they carried themselves was off; they were all dressed casually in robes, some in muggle clothing, but they also had a very false look about them; almost as if the conversations they were engaged in were being staged by very poorly talented actors. The group of witches by the door kept peering out the window, their smiles plastered on their faces.
And every once in a while she caught more than a few staring at her, only to look away quickly when she turned her head towards them.
Ginny finally stepped out of the booth and quickly moved to stand next to Hermione, facing the crowd that blocked their way to the door.
"Hermione," Ginny said out the side of her mouth, "what the hell is going on right now?"
"Take out my wand," Hermione whispered as she reached behind Ginny and placed her hand on her bum.
"Hermione, I only think of you like a sister, you know that right?" Ginny said with a nervous laugh as she continued to eye the strangers who were now openly staring at them.
"It's in my back pocket, just like yours," Hermione muttered. "Reach around and take it out slowly. Don't make it obvious."
"I hope you know what you're doing," Ginny hissed.
With her heart thumping out of her chest, Hermione felt up Ginny's back and curled her fingers around the wand protruding from Ginny's back pocket. She felt Ginny do the same as they extracted each other's wand, just as Hermione had instructed. Their hands met between their sides and Hermione held her breath as they switched wands, sighing with relief when the transfer went off without a hitch.
Her fingers wrapped around the familiar etchings and width of her own wand, but this did nothing to relax Hermione. She swallowed and glanced at Ginny's profile. The younger, yet taller girl, Ron's sister, and her best girl friend, looked determined yet frightened out of her mind.
Hermione wasn't sure exactly what was going on, or if she was dreaming this scenario, but her first thought was to get Ginny out safely. Her second thought was to get to Ron and Harry and warn them that something, if anything, was askew and they needed to get to the Burrow, fast. Then she thought of George just a few shops away and what might happen to him. Plans formed and changed inside her head as she tried to grasp onto any number of spells she might be forced to use. Then she remembered her appallingly disappointing morning and the many times she fell on her bum when she couldn't defend herself against Harry, someone she knew would never hurt her.
Looking around the room again, Hermione spotted their nervous looking waitress, standing by the bar and eyeing a group of four dodgy looking wizards sitting at the counter, all turned around in their stools and openly staring at Hermione and Ginny.
"Either my wet t-shirt is getting a lot of attention or these people are looking at us for an entirely different reason," Ginny muttered. She stepped forward and turned to face Hermione, her wand in front of her, blocking it from view. Hermione noticed several of the strangers sitting in the booths turn around to stare as Ginny moved.
"Do you think…" Ginny leaned in and whispered in Hermione's ear, "Deatheaters?"
When they had first walked into the pub the place was filled with loud talking and sounds of people moving about. After Ginny just uttered that last word, the room became eerily silent; the only sounds echoing throughout were heavy raindrops slamming on the windows and door, and strong winds sending debris flying outside as people ran with their cloaks high over their heads, or else disapparating to get away from the sudden storm.
A chill ran through Hermione's spine and her heart rate quickened. She gripped her wand as tightly as she could behind her back, not wanting to let it slip out of her sweaty palm.
Hermione met Ginny's eyes and nodded once, her expression grim. She couldn't believe it. They had walked right into a trap. She felt something was amiss the moment she apparated into Diagon Alley, yet with every clue she ignored the nagging feeling in the back of her mind, dismissing and rationalizing every instance that didn't seem right and out of place.
Her thoughts turned to Ron and it was as if someone had reached inside her chest and twisted her organs around, winding them up until they were so tight; ready to snap at the most shallowest of breaths. She fought to keep the images of Ron and Harry wet and cold in the alley, dead on the ground, out of her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut and forced herself to stay in the present, with Ginny. That was her first priority. Get her and Ginny out. She had to believe that Ron and Harry were more than capable of handling themselves should the situation turn ugly and dangerous. She had to believe that they would be safe in order for her to focus.
"Hermione, I'm starting to really worry about Ron and Harry," Ginny said and glanced over her shoulder. "They should have been here by now."
Both girls stiffened when the four blokes sitting on the stools, all tall with gloomy expressions, casually stood up from their seats, not advancing, but looked to be waiting for something.
Before Hermione could say another word or raise her wand, her attention was abruptly taken away from the brooding men and back to Ginny, both of them grabbing onto the other's arm as an earsplitting screech followed by a thunderous explosion from outside The Leaky Cauldron shook against the building. Without having to guess, Hermione could tell that the blast had come from the direction of the alley in which they had left Ron and Harry, in the pouring rain.
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A/N: Dun dun! I am so annoyingly excited about this, you have no idea!
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