Author: widgeon
Email: parsleynsage@hotmail.com
Summary: The Trio is slowly growing up, though not necessarily together. For one it means becoming a man in his own right, stepping out from the shadows. Another must search for their true identity, finding a purpose. And for one, it means chasing seemingly unattainable dreams. This is their story.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author's Note: okay, so it's been a few weeks since I got the first chapter of this written, but I things have been hectic, with school and finding work. but that's no matter, let's get on with it.
Liner note: since the last chapter was from a third/Hermione point of view I think this one will be more of a first/Ron or at least leaning in that direction. I hope all of you don't mind the long chapters, but I think that takes up for not having to post every day.
we never knew
Gluttonous does not even begin to describe the manner in which I ate dinner last night. They had all of my favorites: kidney bean pies, shepherd's pie, pumpkin pie, lemon meringue pie, apple pie, and cherry pie (which I'd never tried before, and surprisingly I enjoyed it, even the sticky aftertaste). Besides the pies, there was the famous Hogwarts' rolls and those little quiche things Mum tried to make one Christmas but completely ruined. So what if I have an addiction to any food with the word 'pie' attached to it? I see nothing wrong with partaking in the scrumptious food put before me, even if I ate all of it. Since I consumed all of my own dinner and finished off both Hermione's and Harry's I regret that I cannot even sample the smallest bit of the spread my mother has prepared for lunch.
"If you aren't going to eat anything, at least sit down," my mother commanded as she threateningly waved a spoon in my direction.
I took my place on the blanket between my two best friends, the same order in which we had sat for some seven years. Harry grinned at my little sister as Ginny passed him a piece of the cake she knew that he loved. I might have even seen a wink pass between the two, but I said nothing of it for fear of being hit and verbally abused. My parents were busy chatting about the new type of garden gnome remover they were going to use on the garden this year. Harry was in a deep discussion with Percy, who had returned to Hogwarts under the pretense of seeing us graduate (though we all suspect that he only showed up to gloat about his new position as assistant to Minister Fudge).
Hermione looked tired of her conversation with Ginny about the contents of the latest addition of Witch's Weekly, which to my sister's delight had included a spread of her favorite band, The Sorcerers of Skye, and a full-length article on their new tour as well.
"You wouldn't believe all of the new special effects they have planned for the new tour. It's amazing that they're actually going to magi-cast it live this year," Ginny exclaimed as she bit into the éclairs she'd had Mum bring from Diagon Alley.
"I can't say that I've ever heard of this band you've been droning on about for the past twenty minutes," Hermione replied in a sharp tone. She must indeed be bored if she's snapping at her good girlfriend.
Ginny looked offended and hurt by Hermione's comment, but in no way deterred from gushing, "That's got to be a crime against nature! Even Ron's heard of The Sorcerers, haven't you?"
Stunned that I had been allowed to partake in one of my sister's discussion of rather girly things my tongue stumbled around in my mouth, "I've heard Parvati gushing about them with Lavender before."
"See," Ginny continued, looking at Hermione as if she was dumb instead of the over-achieving genius she was, "Even my twit of a brother knows about The Sorcerers."
"You cannot call me a twit!" I exclaimed in the softest voice possible.
"Yes, she can. She'll do whatever she likes, no matter what it does to anyone else," interjected Hermione.
Ginny narrowed her gaze as she turned it onto my best friend," This is neither the time nor the place to discus such things, and certainly in front of the wrong people."
Hermione matched her stare, "Like you would ever consider that."
I wanted someone to stop them from arguing and explain what was happening. I had no clue as to why they were arguing, but obviously it was over something that made them both heated enough to actually have real fight. I wanted to find the ability to say a few words that would end this quietly and bring us all full circle to the beginning of our awkward lunch.
"Children, we have an announcement," boomed my father's voice, bringing all of the conversations to a halt.
Everyone turned to stare at my father, including several of the other families who had also decided to have a picnic on the dike near the lake before returning to their homes. He blushed, obviously pleased that he commanded so much attention with so few words, and continued.
"As you all know, none of us have seen Charlie since he came to visit last spring during his break from transporting all of those Diamondbacks to the breeding grounds in South America," he began, waiting for his family to nod in unison.
"And you've also realized how little we've heard from him," Mum continued, "But he has some sort of new female companion."
"My brother has a female companion?" Percy asked, his interest piqued.
Dad bit on his bottom lip, "It seems like that is the case. What do you all think of going to see Charlie and meeting his female friend in America?"
Ginny's eyes immediately lit up, "The Sorcerer's are playing in New York next month. Mum, do you think there's any way that you could take me to see them, as the biggest and last favor you will ever do for me?"
"We'll see about that dear, but it isn't the reason as to why we're going all that way," Mum said, attempting to calming Ginny's nerves.
"I don't see why we have to go, it isn't as if he's getting married or something," Percy replied in a sour tone.
Dad wiggled his eyebrows in an odd manner, "Quite the contrary, my darling Percy. You're brother's finally chosen to settle down."
"It came as a shock to us as well, and of course he didn't choose to tell us until it was a month before the date they'd set."
"Who's going?" Ginny asked in a spiteful voice.
"All of us Weasley's, except Fred and George who will be joining us as soon as the close on the details for their new chain in Scotland," said Dad, "And as always, Harry is welcome to come with us."
All of those planning to attend my brother's wedding began talking furiously like jackdaws as soon as Dad stopped speaking. Hermione smiled politely and asked that her congratulations be extended to the happy couple. The conversation between her and Ginny began once again, stealing any chance I had of speaking with Hermione.
"How long have her things been missing?" asked Harry as we stood in the Gryffindor common room.
"I don't know, a couple of hours at the most," Lavender replied, squeezing my arm with he hand she had placed on it.
"Harry, she may have left early. Things were getting a bit hairy around here," I offered smiling at my own wit, "No puns intended."
"I'd forgotten how funny you were," Lavender purred as she entwined her hands with mine.
Harry played with the fringe attached to the pillow on his lap. His face was darkened with the heavy mask of worry he'd been hiding behind all afternoon. I knew he was as ashamed as I was that we'd missed Hermione sneaking out on us some time before darkness had fallen and the last alumni had begun to trickle home.
"It couldn't have been the media that upset her, she's gotten used to that from being friends with me," Harry thought out loud, ripping some of the dark fringe, "It may have been your parent's announcement that sent her running off."
I chuckled, "Absolutely not! Hermione wouldn't leave after something as frivolous as that, she knows how fond my parents are of you."
"Harry's right, Ron," said Lavender, giving my hand another squeeze, something I was beginning to enjoy and knew I would miss, "That's probably part of the reason as to why she went home in the manner that she did."
"I think you know something," Harry said, his eyes locking on Lavender's face, refusing to let her leave.
I felt Lavender shift on the couch next to me, sensing that she wasn't comfortable, "It's been seven years, Harry Potter! How blind are you?"
"My sight is a sensitive issue," Harry said plainly, "I don't' see what you're getting at."
Poor Harry. For all of the times I had wished to switch places with him and feel the full force of power and fame, I would have never wanted to be under the scrutiny of the look that Lavender shot at him.
"You bloody prat! No wonder she got fed up with you!" Lavender shouted.
"Come on, Lavi. I think we'd better go find your parents, I'm sure they're wanting to go home about now," I said, standing and hoping that Lavender would follow my example and leave with me before things could get worse.
To my surprise she did, "Voldemort isn't the one that you should be chasing after right now, Harry Potter. Look at something beyond the end of your nose and the tip of your wand," she said before turning to leave.
"You're not going to find her in here," I said looking about the common room for what surely would be the last time.
I stepped through the porthole and turned to see if he was coming before the portrait could swing down. He was sitting with his shoulder hunched, brow wrinkled, and clutching that pillow with all of his might.
"I just might."
"Don't be stupid, Harry. Let's go," I begged once more.
"I'm going to keep looking," he whispered as he joined lavender and I on the other side of the portrait.
Final Author's Note
review, that's all, review if you don't mind. I'll take you wherever you want to go, just let me know. annie