Picturesque
Part Three: Just Out of Reach
Morning light poured through Ginny's window in gallons. A bona fide blue sky was there to greet her as she opened her eyes. It was that perfect shade of sky blue, the kind you usually only see in pictures. Normally this would have filled Ginny with optimism, but today she groaned and buried her face in her pillow.
This was a day where she would even welcome large dark clouds that would cover the sky. She felt like maybe she could relate to them, somehow. Gloomy wasn't always bad. Sighing, Ginny finally removed her face from the pillow. She sat up on the bed, hugging her knees to herself. She glanced over at Hermione, who was also sleeping in her room on a mattress. She was still fast asleep.
Fred and George had told her what happened between Harry and Hermione. To be honest, she hadn't quite believed them at first. Certainly Harry and Hermione were good friends, but she had seen them together. It didn't look like they had anything more.
But then later last night she had seen the way Hermione avoided Harry. She had seen the edgy look in Harry's eyes whenever he caught sight of Hermione.
So it was true.
But God, hadn't she known deep down inside that it would happen? Maybe Hermione and Harry hadn't shown any signs of being madly in love or whatever, but it was practically preordained. Everybody in Hogwarts expected them to become a couple presently.
Ginny had been sure that she had almost entirely gotten over her crush on Harry. Yet when she heard that he and Hermione had been seen kissing she had felt a fresh pang of hurt. It wasn't the kind of emotion she would be feeling if she simply viewed Harry as a nice friend.
And it was also too strong of an emotion to be feeling if Harry was simply a school girl crush of hers.
Ginny mentally scolded herself. She couldn't let her feelings for Harry grow too strong anyway. That would be stupid, and she would only end up more hurt than she had been when she started.
You know what else is stupid? Ginny thought to herself. Wallowing in self-pity like this. She hopped out of bed and began combing her hair in front of her mirror. She really had been too cruel to Harry the night before...
"Hullo dear," the mirror chirped, hushing her voice slightly as she noticed that Hermione was still sleeping. "Why so glum this morning?"
"I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all," Ginny said, sighing. "Because it's a beautiful day!" the mirror said cheerfully. "No morning rain clouding up your window!"
Ginny shook her head. "Sometimes beautiful days aren't worth it."
~~~
"Harry?" a voice said softly in his ear. A hand lightly shook his shoulder.
"Mmph," Harry mumbled, opening his eyes. Mrs. Weasley was looking down at him with concern.
"Are you alright, Harry?" Mrs. Weasley said worridly.
Immediately yesterday came back to him in a rush.
Harry sighed and closed his eyes again.
"Harry?" Mrs. Weasley pressed on.
"Huh?" He opened his eyes once more. "Oh. Yeah. I'm fine." He tried to pack as much sincerity into his words as possible, but it wasn't easy.
Mrs. Weasley gave him a kind but still worried smile. "Are you sure?"
Harry nodded.
"Then... why are you sleeping on the couch?"
Harry quickly sat up. He had forgotten that he had slept down here instead of going up to Ron's room, where he usually slept while staying at The Burrow. He couldn't face Ron again, so he had spent the night on the Weasley's sofa.
"I... I was reading a book," Harry lied. "I guess I must have fallen asleep. Sorry."
"Oh, no, it's no trouble, dear... I just wanted to make sure that you were comfortable." Mrs. Weasley smiled. "Now what book is it, that you read until you fell asleep?"
"Er... That one," Harry said, pointing to a book on the end table next to the couch. Thank God Hermione had left the book she had been reading lying around.
Mrs. Weasley picked the book up and looked at it. Then she gave Harry a strange look as she read the title.
"Forbidden Passion," she read out loud. Harry caught sight of a shirtless young wizard, who was busy kissing a woman in fine robes. Forbidden Passion was written in frilly script across the top.
Harry blushed furiously.
"I never knew you liked this kind of...reading material, Harry." Mrs. Weasley was watching Harry's quickly reddening face with confusion.
"Uh...Yeah. You should read it. Fantastic. It's really... educational." Harry gave what he hoped was a normal looking smile.
Then he dashed out of the room.
Guess Hermione isn't reading school books anymore, Harry thought, and even though he was still red he managed to grin.
~~~
Hermione glanced over to Ginny's bed. It was empty and already had been neatly made. A clock on Ginny's night stand informed Hermione that it was 9:30 ("It's already half past nine Miss," the clock had told her disapprovingly. "Late to bed, late to riiise." And it had giggled madly, seemingly thinking that this was quite clever.).
Hermione was usually an early riser but last night she couldn't seem to get to sleep. Finally, after mulling over her thoughts for a long time, she must have drifted off, long after Ginny fell asleep. And yet Hermione still noticed circles under her eyes, despite sleeping late. The mirror seemed to notice too.
"You look horrible!" it said brightly.
Hermione must have given the mirror an evil look, because it quickly piped up. "Remember dear, if you break me that's seven years bad luck!"
Hermione thought back to life as an ordinary muggle, remembering a time when mirrors and alarm clocks didn't deliver "witty" comments whenever they could.
Her mind wandered back to her problems. Why did Harry do that? Why did he have to ruin things for the three of them? He had turned everything into some silly muggle soap opera. The twins must have told Ron about it, and Ron had spent the evening in his room. Why did he do that? Why did he lock himself up like a hermit?
Why would Ron care?
Why should she care why Ron would care?
Hermione rubbed her temples. Here she was, top student in the year, getting a headache over something like this.
Maybe she would write Viktor. Things were still fine between them, in spite of the their breakup. When they had broken up it hadn't been a passionate and heart wrenching thing, and their relationship had never been a passionate and heart wrenching thing either.
They had had a good time together, but when it came time for Hermione to go they had almost reached an unspoken agreement that they shouldn't remain a couple. They would barely see each other the next year and Hermione would rather just have a friendship with Viktor, without the awkward romantic intervals. Viktor apparently felt the same way.
It was remarkably unemotional. In fact, her whole relationship with Viktor Krum had left her feeling empty. He was also kind of... old... Hermione was awfully mature, but sometimes easily managed to feel young and inexperienced around Viktor.
But they were still friends. He was interesting to talk to. And he didn't hate her. That was a huge plus, considering how the rest of her relationships were going.
Dear Viktor, she scribbled. How are things? How's America? Is it really as polluted as it looks to be in the papers?
I'm spending the rest of the summer with Ron Weasley and his family. Harry Potter is also here.
Viktor, remember how you said you were jealous of Harry during the tournament? You were jealous of how I put his well-being as first priority and your's as second. Then you told me you were sure Harry liked me or that I liked him, and of course I told you that wasn't true.
Well, last night Harry kissed me.
Hermione frowned. No, that was no good. She crossed it out and went back to her letter. Several more ideas got crossed out as well.
Well, last night Harry kissed me... was talking to me... expressed his feelings for me.. stood on his head and played an accordion while singing to a Swiss Penguin.
Crumpling up the letter, Hermione through it over her shoulder. It skittered lightly across the floor.
"Slob!" a voice said. Hermione turned and realized it was the small garbage bin by Ginny's door.
"Put that letter where it belongs. Only trash don't throw out trash!" There was a light chuckle.
"Good one," remarked the alarm clock.
Sighing, Hermione placed the letter neatly into the trash bin.
~~~
"Charlie!" Ginny said, flying out into the yard where her older brother had just apparated. She ran up to him and he picked her up and swung her around, like he did when she was younger. The scene would have looked corny had it been anyone else, but everything about it was so genuine that the thought never crossed anyone's mind. Not even the twins, who quickly came trampling out to meet him. Ron followed them. He didn't look to be in the best of moods, but he gave Charlie a quick smile of greeting.
Mr. Weasley was at work. After greeting Mrs. Weasley (who fussed over a bad burn of Charlie's quite a bit), Charlie glanced around.
"Ah, but where's my favorite brother?"
"PERCY!" Mrs. Weasley called. "CHARLIE'S HOME!"
After a minute Percy came out and stiffly stuck out his hand for Charlie to shake. Charlie simply grinned and gave Percy a bear hug instead, followed by a light punch in the shoulder.
Grumbling, Percy rubbed his shoulder.
"Right then," Charlie said, after the greetings were over. "Where's Harry? Hermione?"
Ron went inside without another word.
Charlie shrugged. Ginny figured he knew his temperamental brother well enough to let him alone.
"Harry is inside," Mrs. Weasley said. "He hasn't been feeling well. Perhaps he's come down with something." She furrowed her brow in concern. "And Hermione is still upstairs, I believe."
"I hope she's not still sleeping," Ginny murmured, more to herself than the rest.
"Oh, let the girl get some rest," George said, grinning.
"She had a very busy night," Fred agreed. Both boys snickered.
"What in the world are you two talking about?" Mrs. Weasley asked.
"Erm, nothing Mum," Ginny said quickly, before Fred or George could jump in with a comment. "They're just babbling... As usual." Smiling sweetly to her mother, and giving a look of poison to the twins, Ginny and the family headed into the house through the kitchen door.
"Did you bring any Chocolate Frogs?" Ginny asked hopefully.
"Of course," Charlie said as they reached the kitchen table. He reached into his pockets and dumped handfuls of them on the table. Beaming, Ginny grabbed some.
"Pity," Percy said, sighing, and temporarily forgetting to wince and rub his shoulder. "I was really hoping for Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Chocolate Frogs... It's so childish. Now Bertie Bott's Beans are more sophisticated. You really shouldn't be getting Ginny chocolate Frogs, Charlie. You should encourage her to act her age."
"Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's..." Fred scoffed. "You guys should try some of the stuff we've been making."
"You don't even know what you're missing," George said.
"Don't feel like turning into a moth today, thankyou." Percy, of course.
"Aw, but Perce, you're our best target...Er, I mean customer." Fred smirked.
"I brought both," Charlie said quickly, before the twins and Percy could engage in a strong argument. He reached into his pockets again and brought out a handful of Bertie Bott's beans.
Fred and George looked at the candy with disgust. "C'mon Fred," George said. "Let's go work on some of our inventions."
They hurried upstairs into their room. An explosion was heard moments later, but everyone had grown immune to the noise by now.
Ginny sat down and nibbled thoughtfully at a Chocolate Frog. Her mother had thought Harry was ill, but Ginny was sure this wasn't the case. Still, he must be feeling horrible. Ron was probably furious at him, and Hermione stalked off everytime he entered a room.
And I haven't really been helping matters, Ginny thought to herself. She had been cold to Harry the day before... Maybe this wasn't his fault.
Or maybe it was.
Either way, she shouldn't have acted like that. He had been feeling bad enough as it was, Ginny was sure.
Determinedly, Ginny stood up, snatching a chocolate frog.
Percy popped one of the beans into his mouth and made a face.
"Bad flavor?" Ginny said, sympathetically.
"Chocolate Frog flavored," Percy replied.
~~~
"PERCY!" Hermione heard Mrs. Weasley shout. "CHARLIE'S HOME!"
Was it that late? She had meant to go downstairs to meet Charlie when he came to The Burrow, Hermione proceeded downstairs and opened the front door a crack, but the happy family scene that greeted her seemed too meaningful for her to intrude on. She was a family friend, a close family friend even. But Hermione wasn't family, and she certainly wasn't going to try and act like she was.
She turned very suddenly at footsteps and saw Harry behind her, his gaze falling on the hugging going on outside. The laughter could be heard even from in here. Charlie playfully punched Percy in the shoulder, and Ron's laughter stood out particularly to Hermione.
"Stupid git," Harry said, almost to himself, watching the scene outside, eyes frustrated. "Doesn't know how lucky he is."
Then Harry turned away and returned to the backyard. Hermione watched him go, confused. It was the only words he had said to her since they had fought last night. Hermione was sure he was talking about Ron, and her eyes traveled back to Weasleys. Harry had never had that sort of family when he had been younger.
Analyze and puzzle over it later, Hermione told herself sternly. Quietly she began to head up the stairs.
"Forbidden Passions, eh?" a voice said loftily before she had gotten five steps. Hermione turned and saw Ron standing below her. He was studying a book with interest. Hermione blushed- it was the one she had been reading for the last two days. At least the book's soap opera wasn't real.
"What right do you have to touch my belongings?" Hermione demanded, trying to allow anger to overcome her embarrassment. "Put that down this instant." She stampeded down the stairs, running towards the book. She began to snatch it out of Ron's hands, but he easily lifted it out of her reach and darted behind the sofa, grinning.
Ron peered at the cover. "It's actually kinda interesting," Ron said seriously, although his eyes betrayed his hidden laughter. He watched the witch and wizard "They're really going at it, aren't they?" His eyes widened. "My God, is he taking off her-"
"Ron Weasley, you give that back!" Hermione shouted, also darting behind the sofa. What a stupid way for Ron to try and get back at her for kissing Harry.
Ron tauntingly held Hermione's book just out of her reach. Hermione grabbed hold of the arm holding the book. She pulled Ron's arm down towards her, trying to get the book in her reach.
Unfortunately, she pulled Ron's arm down with such force that he fell forward and she tumbled backwards. Together the two fell against the back of the sofa.
Hermione's hand remained wrapped around Ron's wrist. Now the book rested at his side, but Hermione made no sudden moves to get at it. She could feel her heart beating rapidly, and she wasn't quite sure whether it was from trying to get the book or...
But that wasn't worth thinking about, was it? All that mattered was that she was here, and Ron was here. His eyes were looking at her intently. They were soft, like they had been up on the hill. His lips were slightly parted and he was breathing very slowly.
He reached a hand up to brush a few stray strands of hair out of Hermione's face, leaning in closer to her.
~~~~
Harry was in the backyard. He had his chin in his palm and a tired look on his face.
"Harry?" Ginny said tentatively.
Harry glanced up at the small redhead approaching him. "I don't feel like being shouted at right now, thanks."
"I-"
"It gets old rather quickly."
"Harry, I-"
"I mean, it's not like I did anything to you. I was just being an idiot."
"I see. Sort of like you're being now?"
Harry stared at her for a second. Then he grinned. "Sorry."
"So am I... Er, I mean I came to apologize. I'm sorry I shouted at you. You didn't deserve it."
Harry continued to watch her in surprise.
"Oh, and here," Ginny held out the Chocolate Frog she had taken from the kitchen table. "It's my peace offering."
Harry took the chocolate frog from her hand. "Thanks," he said, the word slightly muffled as he popped it into his mouth. He finished it and the hint of a smile appeared on his face. "I love Chocolate Frogs."
"I know," Ginny said without thinking, watching him.
"Huh?"
"Erm, uh, I mean I know, they're great, aren't they?" She grinned widely. She decided it would be best to leave out the details about how she used to observe everything about Harry a couple of years ago. Once, when she was bored, she had even written a whole list of Harry's favorite things.
But of course, that was years ago.
Yep.
Harry paused a moment to chew and swallow the Chocolate Frog before he looked up at Ginny. She was looking back at him, her eyes uncertain.
"Thanks, Ginny," Harry said, watching her face.
"Yeah," she replied. "Sure. I... Sure." She paused. "Uh, Charlie's home."
"I heard." Harry smiled.
"Mum sure can shout, huh?"
"So...How is Charlie?"
"Oh, he's fine."
Conversation lapsed.
"Well...Um...Bye." Ginny headed towards the door after a few snail-trodding long moments. But something made her turn back to Harry. "Don't worry about Ron," she said. "I mean...He gets angry easily but usually he can cool off easily too."
"You know that's not true," Harry said.
Ginny sighed. "Well...I mean, he can hold a grudge forever-"
"Don't I know it," Harry mumbled.
"-but in his heart he forgives long before he let's on."
"Yeah, well, I wish he wouldn't be so stubborn. Sometimes I think he'd be better off with a Joe Average as a best friend."
"You moron," Ginny said, staring at him incredulously. "Ron would never want that."
"He sure acts like he wants that."
"Harry, Ron gets bored stiff with Joe Average types with no sense of humor." Somehow, in trying to convince Harry how completely wrong he was, Ginny had lost some of her awkwardness.
"Maybe his being bored is better than him flying into a rage at me."
Ginny rolled her eyes. "You two are best friends. That doesn't mean things have to be a Leave it to Beaver kind of friendship all the time."
"How do you know about Leave it to Beaver?"
Ginny looked down guiltily. "Well...Dad has a muggle TV in the basement...You know, for his muggle studies. And sometimes, when I'm bored..." She trailed off.
Harry laughed.
"It's a kind of lame way to rebel against society, I know," Ginny said grinning, encouraged.
Harry shook his head. "I used to do the same thing. Dudley had at least five TVs, and sometimes I'd take the smallest one into my...er, cupboard. He never missed it."
Ginny smiled to herself. "Fred and George told me about him. He sounds like a monster."
"A very fat, very dumb monster, yes." Harry grinned.
"Sounds about right," Ginny agreed.
The two laughed again.
"Wow, it's almost noon," Ginny said, glancing up at the sky.
Harry nodded. He had guessed by the way the sun was shining softly but more brightly against Ginny's hair. It was kind of nice, Harry thought, when Ginny was smiling and laughing with him. Very nice, when compared to how she usually stared and made him feel uncomfortable. She should really smile more often.
"Hey, Ginny-" Harry began, and Ginny couldn't help but realize that his tone was much different from how it had been before. Her eyes settled on him.
"Yeah?"
Fred and George barged through the backyard's door. "You two will never believe what we just saw!" Fred said, shaking his head in disbelief.
~~~
Here ends Part 3 of Picturesque a.k.a Is Hermione Reading Trashy Novels?
Oh, yes, if you noticed a quote anywhere from one of the singer Dido's songs, please reply in your review with the line from the song and the name of the song..If anyone gets it, the 1st person get's a...surprise! But to get it, you have to leave your email. Yep.
Next time: What *did* Fred and George see? Hmm. Will Hermione and Ron sort of their feelings? Will Harry and Ginny discover the joys of TV Land? ;) And most importantly...Will those two people on Hermione's book ever stop making out? Find out...
Oh! And there'll be MORE Charlie! Yaaay.. Thanks to all who reviewed.
