Notes: This was meant to be a simple 3-parter, but apparently my brain and the characters in the fic didn't understand that :pthis part practically wrote itself, so this whole story is evolving into something bigger than the original Draco/Ron I envisioned.Ginny isn't a character I'm very familiar with it, but her voice came very easily.It was quite exciting writing this part, and I'll really appreciate it if you could let me know what you thought by leaving a review.Thanks! ^_^ P/S: Thank you very much to everyone who reviewed the previous chapter, i usually don't get much feedback, so thanks again - u really made my day! ^___^
*Ginny*
She stumbled blearily into the kitchen, sinking heavily into the chair and clutching the waiting mug of coffee upon the dining table as if it were a lifeline.Deciding to keep her eyes scrunched shut for a few moments more, she gulped down the liquid desperately before setting her mug back down with a thunk on the wooden surface, her head following a close second later.
Amused laughter managed to pierce through her haze of exhaustion."Someone's chirpy this morning!"The bright voice seemed to cruelly grate upon her ears.She tried unsuccessfully to suppress a shudder. Morning people deserved to be rounded up and kept under lock and key, far, far away from those whose life mission was to skip that time of day altogether.
"Don't, Hermione.Just… don't."It wasn't even funny, this early in the day.Rarely anything was.She forced her eyes open to mock-glare at the brunette sitting opposite her, going through the morning paper as she finished up her breakfast.Hermione was already dressed and groomed, hair smooth and glossy with a Hair-Taming charm, looking like she had been up hours ago, which, knowing her, Ginny thought morosely, was probably the case.Ugh, morning people!
"It IS already half-past eight, you know," Hermione replied, unaffected in the least by Ginny's foul morning mood.Having spent the past year as flatmates, they'd already gotten used to each other's routines."And if it were not for the fact that I start late on Tuesdays, you wouldn't even be sitting here drinking that life-saving mug of coffee.A little show of gratitude would be nice."She cleared her plates, bringing them over to the sink.
"Fine, fine," Ginny conceded grouchily."Thanks so much, oh great one!"But the caffeine was already beginning to take effect, and she was now able to sit up straighter in her chair and view the world with a functioning mind.
"Ginny, dear, you do realise that once you start work, there's not going to be much possibility for you to sleep late anymore," Hermione pointed out, starting the thread of an old argument they'd gone over countless times.
"All the more then that I should do it when I still have the chance," Ginny shot back, the words almost automatic by now.She was studying to be a medi-wizard, determined to play a part in the up-coming war against Voldemort.There was not much chance of her playing a more active, combative role, she mused, recalling her grades at Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts.But she'd found her calling in her 5th year, when they'd begun study on the Healing Magics.So she had decided to train in the magical art of medicine – if she was not to fight the Dark Lord and his minions directly, at least she could keep alive and whole as many of those who could.
"I tremble to think of the poor people who will come under your care."But it was said without malice, a long-running joke between them.
"Well, don't expect me to lift a hand then when you come back cursed with whiskers and a tail again."Ginny rose as well, surrendering her mug to the other woman at the sink.
"Touché.That wasn't bad at all, considering how early it must be for you."Hermione grinned at her as she dried her hands and removed the apron she was wearing over her blouse and skirt."Right, I'll be going now.Remember to lock the door when you leave later."
Ginny murmured an assent as Hermione picked up her bag and jacket, ready to leave."Whoops, almost forgot my badge!"Dropping her things on the table, she ran into her room to get the missing item.She re-emerged a minute later, the gold and silver crest of the Gringotts crest glinting as the light struck it.
Ginny smiled at the thought of Hermione working in Gringotts, training to become a curse-breaker, just like Ginny's oldest brother Bill.Everyone had been pretty surprised when she had made that announcement one evening when she was spending her vacation in the Burrow.Of course, it was not that she couldn't have done it – Hermione could achieve about anything she wanted, as long she put her mind to it.Most of them had expected her to go into magical research or something similar, considering her thirst for knowledge, but she had launched into a convoluted, though enthusiastic, explanation involving 'hackers', 'computers', 'the Internet', a 'neuromancer', some guy called William Gibson and a witch named Willow.
Harry, who was spending his holidays at the Burrow as well, had raised an eyebrow at the mention of the last name."Hmm, I had no idea you watched television, Herm, much less 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'."
Hermione, though flushed, had self-righteously defended herself and her beloved 'TV drama', before the whole discussion was sidetracked by Ginny's father, who insisted on a detailed description of the computer, the gadget that seemed to govern the entire Muggle world.
Memories of that evening brought another person to mind as well, and Ginny's smile turned wistful as she thought of her first love, or crush – Harry Potter.The intervening years had revealed it to be the infatuation it was, coupled with a heavy dose of hero worship, but at certain times, even now, her heart would feel a twinge at the thought of him.
Harry wasn't as lucky as Hermione – he didn't have the luxury of choice when it came to his future vocation, not really.
"Dumbledore asked me if I could train as an Auror.He says we desperately need more people to join in the fight.I'll be part of the main strike-force involved in fighting the Death-Eaters, if there's ever such a confrontation."There had been a lull in the chatter around the table as the undeniable reality sank in.All of them present were perfectly aware of what was left unsaid in Harry's words.When – when, not if – the day came, Harry would be their greatest hope, the one with best likelihood of facing the Dark Lord and emerging victorious.
Ginny's heart ached as the image of Harry's face that night rose in her mind, resolute yet blank of much else.He would have played Quidditch, she thought sadly, if he had the choice, and he would have been brilliant.Now, he could still fly, yes, but it was a flight burdened with too much, the hopes and dreams of too many, a destiny too immense for one.
And so she had made up her mind that she would help, in every little way possible, to ease Harry's load – his and the load of those other fighters who had sacrificed their own dreams and ambitions as well, for the sake of a better future.
Once again, Ginny railed at the injustice of the whole situation.She didn't like the wizarding world the way it was now, tense, over-reacting at the slightest hint of dissension or uprising.Born after Voldemort's first defeat, she had grown up hearing the stories, but they had never made their impact.You never truly know what it's like to be restricted, caged in, she realised, until the time comes when you are no longer free.
Ginny made her way to the living room, flopping down on the couch, her eyes drawn to the framed photographs Hermione had arranged on the mantelpiece above the fireplace.Younger-looking images of Hermione, Harry and Ron waved vigorously from out of the snapshots, grinning cheekily, like they had just come back from one of their secret adventures, which would really not have been too far from the truth, Ginny acknowledged wryly.
We were all so much happier back then, she reflected.It was safer, at least for most of the students at Hogwarts.Harry was an exception, battling Lord Voldemort on a yearly basis, as was Ron and Hermione, unwilling to let their best friend face the danger alone.And even that stopped after Harry's sixth year.
Voldemort's plots and the Death-Eater attacks diminished, but instead of feeling relieved, Dumbledore and the Ministry grew even more concerned.The Dark Lord was planning something – he was mustering his forces.When next he appeared, the battle would be upon them.Preparations were feverishly begun, racing against time, against the day the assault would come.The months and years passed, and they waited, never doubting that the day of reckoning would arrive.And in the waiting, it seemed like they had forgotten how to laugh, how to smile.
We were all so much happier back then… Harry.Hermione.Ron.
Ginny could feel a frown forming upon her brow as she stared at the picture of her youngest brother, one who used to be so close to her.What happened, Ron?She could sense the puzzlement that now always accompanied thoughts of him unfurl in her mind.Ron had started to drift from her in his final year – admittedly, he never really spent that much time with her in the first place, but he would always look out for her whenever he thought she was feeling unhappy, surprisingly sensitive to her needs.
That had changed in his seventh year.Ron grew distracted, preoccupied.And he began to laugh less and less.When he did grin, it seemed half-hearted at best.It was as if the vibrancy that was so much a part of him was waning.Ginny could only recollect one other time he had appeared to be in a similar state, during the Triwizard tournament in his and Harry's fourth year, when they had had their first major falling-out.
But they had never fought like that ever again after that, at least, not to Ginny's knowledge.And Ron just continued to fade, growing distant, not only from her, but from the others in his family as well.He had moved out of the Burrow soon after graduating from Hogwarts, declaring his intention to go live in London, but never specifying which part.Hermione and Harry seemed to be the only ones who could still get through to him, the only ones who were aware of what was going on in his life.Ginny suspected they knew far more than they were letting on, and it pained her that she had to get information about her own brother from others whom, although she loved and respected very much, were not truly family.
She wasn't even very sure what Ron was doing now.She had a vague idea it was in some department in the Ministry, but far removed from Percy's and her father's, such that they couldn't really keep track of him.Hermione probably knew, Ginny thought irrationally, frown becoming a full-fledged pout, but she was just not telling.
Ginny sighed, tearing her gaze away from Ron's beaming picture before she could feel the familiar prickle behind her eyes again.The guilt gnawed at her, for not making more of an effort to look for Ron, for hiding behind schoolwork, medical training, the impending war.Flimsy excuses which would not stand up to the slightest breeze.
What pathetic lives we lead…
"Ginny, you okay?"A concerned hand fell on her shoulder, and she glanced up, drawn from her brooding, to meet Hermione's brown eyes."You looked really depressed there all of a sudden."
"It's nothing, Herm.I was just thinking about Ron…"She thought she did rather well, managing to keep the tremor out of her voice.
"Oh."A shadow passed over her flatmate's face.She patted Ginny's shoulder awkwardly."He's fine, Ginny.And he sends his love."Both of them ignored the fact that Hermione's smile faltered, never reaching her eyes.
"Did he?" Ginny muttered bitterly, berating herself even as she raised her doubts.
"Ginny, please!We've been over this – Ron really does care for all of you, it's just that—"
Whatever defence Hermione was about to make on the behalf of her best friend was never to be heard as she practically toppled over the back of the couch, landing in an inelegant heap on the seat.Ginny stared in shock for an instant before her medical training kicked in, and she swiftly scooted closer to the unconscious woman, skimming her hands across Hermione's body, trying to get a sense of her aura.
There was nothing wrong.
Mystified at this sudden turn of events, she grabbed Hermione's shoulders, giving her a shake."Come on, Hermione.Wake up!"A sudden bolt of cold shot up her arms, causing her to shiver involuntarily.She promptly let go, sitting back, but the chill didn't go away, instead settling in her heart.She had felt such ice before, years ago, and it was something she would never forget.Traces of the dark arts were lingering over the brunette lying in front of her.
What on earth was going on?!
"Oh god, NO!!"As abruptly as she had fainted, Hermione jerked out of her blackout, heaving great gulps of air as she sat upright, a hand pressed over her heart, the other clutching the back of the couch.She looked frantic, muttering anxiously under her breath."No… no… I've got to get Harry…We have to hurry…Nonono…"She seemed to have forgotten that Ginny was still there.
Alarmed, Ginny grasped Hermione's hand, trying to get her attention."Hermione, what's wrong?!Did you see something?"It sounded far-fetched, that Hermione might have Seen a vision, so against Divination and the Sight she was, but it was the most plausible reason she could come up with.The only other explanation was too terrifying to think about.
Hermione shook off her hold, eyes wild."No, you don't understand!I've got to get Harry, we have to get to him, before it's too late!"
"Who?Get to who?Before what's too late?!"She had never seen Hermione so agitated before.
Just then, there was a loud, rapid pounding at the window.Which was impossible, it struck Ginny, since they were on the sixth floor, and there was no balcony, unless…She spun around to see Harry on his Firebolt, banging on the glass as if his life depended on it.
"Harry?!"The surrealism of the whole situation kept Ginny frozen as Hermione jumped up and dashed to the window, opening it and climbing onto the broomstick behind Harry.
"Wait!"She managed to shout, stumbling to the window, before they could fly away."What's happening?Where are you going?!"
The desperation in Hermione's eyes as she looked over her shoulder at Ginny made Ginny's heart twist in sudden forboding."It's… it… oh god, I'm so sorry, Ginny… it's Ron!And I can't explain anymore now, you wouldn't understand… just… I'm so, so sorry…"
Ginny's legs felt as if they couldn't support her anymore as she watched the two of them recede into the distance, disappearing around another building.She grabbed the windowsill to steady herself, but try as she might, she could not stop the trembling.One of her worst fears was coming to past, something she'd never wanted to think about, spent so much time denying.
She slowly slid to the floor, her hands coming together as she prayed, "Please, Ron, please be alright.Please…"
end