By Katie
Disclaimer: I do not in any way, shape, or form own any character from the Harry Potter series. J.K. Rowling has the honor of that. I must also state that no money is being made from this fanfiction. Clearly, since you're reading this, you know that this is fiction! Did you catch that? Fiction!
Author's Note: Yay! More reviews! I'm so glad people like this story. That makes me so happy! Sorry it seems like I don't update (if it doesn't then great, but oh well.) I just have a ot going on with school and then the holidays so, I'm sorry. Also, if it seems like I take forever, I guess it could be because I try (and will continue to) update on Sundays or Mondays. So that gives me all week to write and I won't feel rushed except for this chapter because I hate it. So, yeah. Sorry for the delay of it's anything to you.
That night, after everyone went back to their homes, Harry and Ginny were in their small home marveling in their content-ness of just being near to each other. After sitting on the couch for a long while just cuddling, Harry finally approached the topic both of them had wanted to talk about all night, but never got the chance.
"Those were great gifts your parents got everyone." Harry said, nodding.
"Yeah, they really were." Ginny smiled, intertwining her fingers with his again. "I can't believe Dad got me a toaster." She giggled.
Harry laughed softly as well, but continued. "Did you see what they gave Hermione?"
"A photo album?" She guess, kissing Harry's cheek lightly.
"Yeah." He clarified. "There were a bunch of pictures of her and Ron together… like just the two of them."
"I know." Her told him as she untangled her legs from his. "I helped her put it together."
"All right." He said, leaning back into the couch. "Hey, Gin, I don't know if you really want to talk about this, but it's really bothering me."
"What is it, Harry?" She asked, clearly concerned.
"It's Ron and Hermione." He sighed. "They're acting so… I don't know, different."
"Well, Harry, what did you expect?" She asked, twirling her ginger hair on her fingertips. "That they'd forget about everything and end up being together for ever and ever? That they'd all of a sudden kiss and make up?"
Harry sighed again and shook his head. "No. I didn't think it'd be like that, I just thought… I just thought that maybe it would be… I don't know." He sighed once more and looked his girlfriend in the eyes. "I just thought they'd actually speak to each other."
"Honey, they did speak to each other…" Ginny tried to reason, "Just maybe not as much as you would've liked to see. Maybe not as much as everyone wanted to see."
"I feel like I should do something to make it better between them." He told her, taking her hand once again. "You know? I want them to at least be friends." Ginny nodded in response, urging him to continue. "Yeah. That's what we'll do! Before this holiday is over, they'll be the best of friends. It's up to us, Gin."
Once Ron was home he fell upon the couch and let out a deep breath. He closed his eyes, hoping to find some solitude since when his eyes were open his mind was reeling… mostly thinking about what he should've said or done that evening. He had so such luck when his eyes were closed either. He'd visualized Hermione. Her soft, wavy hair, her deep chocolate eyes, her high cheekbones, and beautiful body. He groaned loudly, opening his eyes and decided he'd go visit Harry.
Once he'd gotten to Harry and Ginny's (after apparating), he waited for them to answer the door. Ginny pulled open the door with a smile, but when she saw it was her brother, she rolled her eyes and walked back into the living room. "It's just Ron." he heard her tell Harry, obviously annoyed. After all, it was Harry's first night home.
"Hello, Ron." Harry half-smiled.
"Hello, Harry."
"What is it?"
"Well, I was just, you know, er wondering if you'd, um, help me out a little," He stammered.
"Sure." Harry shrugged, sitting back down on the couch. Ron followed suit, sitting down on the chair across from the couch. "With what?" Harry knew what Ron was going to ask, but it never hurt to sound like he was curious.
"Well," he shrugged also, "I… tonight wasn't… tonight didn't end up the way I wanted it to."
"What do you mean, precious?" Ginny asked sarcastically.
"Shut up, Ginny." He scoffed, but knew that he needed to tell someone before he went crazy. "Hermione… um it was just awkward." He sighed in frustration. "Oh for Merlin's sake! I guess tonight really showed me that I really do still love her." He caught a glimpse of Ginny, whose hand flew up to her mouth, clearly not expecting to hear those words come out of her brother's mouth. "Even after all this time, she's still… she's still Hermione. She's still special."
No one said anything for a moment. Both Harry and Ginny were taken aback by Ron's last statement. He really loved her, and not just missed her friendship? Harry surly hadn't been expecting that.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked cautiously.
Ron was quiet, pondering why on earth Harry would doubt his feelings. How did he know what Ron was feeling? He didn't. Harry had no clue. "Yes, I'm sure." Ron snapped unintentionally. "I think I would know if I loved someone or not."
"Well, maybe you just wish you had what you guys used to have?" Ginny suggested. "Maybe you just want the friendship back?"
"I don't know why I came to you guys." Ron shook his head. "This is ridiculous." With that he was gone. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he needed to walk. He needed to take a walk to clear his head- to get everything figured out. Christmas was two days away and he still had to find a gift for Hermione. Maybe while he was walking he'd think of something original and something she'd look forward to getting. Something that would make her remember this holiday forever.
After walking for close to forty-five minutes, he hadn't gone anywhere he hadn't seen before, but just randomly made a path for himself. He hadn't thought of a gift either. In fact, he was still at square one. He hadn't gained any perspective or lost any. He was jinxed. It had to be the reason. His brain just didn't work.