Hey sorry it took so long to get this chapter up but I had to make some confessions of my own and it isn't working out. It's a long story but I'm still trying to make it work, but I don't think it's going to happen. Anyway, this week has been really terrible but anyway, on to the chapter!
Disclaimer: I have $11. JK has a lot more…hmmm…does that mean I'm not JK? YES!
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Chapter 3: Saying Goodbye
Mrs.Weasley greeted Ron as the trio got off the train by giving him a giant hug.
"Mum, get off I can't breathe!" said Ron's muffled voice. Mrs.Weasley gave her youngest son one last squeeze and then let go. Harry looked on for a moment before Mrs.Weasley pulled him over and did the same, and then it was Hermione's turn after that.
"So, how have you all been?" asked Mrs.Weasley when she had greeted all three properly.
Harry was the first to answer, and said politely, "Fine. Hermione was valedictorian, as we all expected."
Mrs.Weasley smiled and looked at Hermione happily, "Your parents would be proud," she told the curly haired witch in front of her.
At the mention of her parents, Hermione's cinnamon eyes filled with glistening tears, but she refused to let them fall. Ron glanced up and saw her as she fought the urge to cry. He opened to open his mouth to say something, but Harry had just looked down at his watch, his eyes widening.
"Oh man, I'm supposed to be at the Auror's office in half an hour! I really have to go, guys."
At that Hermione's battle against her tears was lost. She embraced Harry and said, "Harry, oh I'm going to miss you so much! You have to be careful and owl me as much as you can!"
Harry looked surprised, "Don't worry, Hermione, I will."
Hermione pulled away, sniffing, "Bye," she said before walking to where Mrs.Weasley had gone, slightly away from the trio, to give Ron and Harry some privacy.
"Bye, mate. I'll miss you," Ron said gruffly, looking at the ground.
Harry gave Ron a quick, rough, brotherly embrace and then pulled back, "You too. Take care of Hermione. And you'll want to tell Hermione at some point."
Ron looked up, surprised, "How do you…"
Harry cut him off, his eyes twinkling, "I have my ways." He turned and walked down the street, whistling merrily.
Ron still stood there, stunned, for a few moments, and then walked over to where Hermione and his mother were standing. Hermione had stopped crying, but her eyes were still red and puffy.
"Well he's gone now," said Ron
Hermione nodded, still too upset to talk, but then she found her voice, "It's not going to be the same without him at the Burrow, is it Ron?"
Ron sadly shook his head, "But at least we won't be alone. Both of us will be there, and so will Ginny, Mum, and Dad. The twins finally found a place for their joke shop and moved into Hogsmeade."
Mrs.Weasley suddenly spoke up, "Well there's your father, and he's got Ginny, so I'm going to go over there to talk to them. Don't be too long."
Ron and Hermione watched her walk over to where Mr.Weasley and Ginny were standing before looking back to each other.
"Ron, I…"
"Hermione, I…"
Both Ron and Hermione had started to talk at the same time, but upon hearing the other's voice had looked at their shoes, blushing furiously.
"You first," said Hermione quietly, hoping secretly that one of the other Weasleys would come over and prevent her from having to tell Ron anything.
"Well, Hermione, I kind of have something to tell you. I…" he was cut off by Ginny who raced over.
"Hi guys! Mum and Dad say it's time to go home to the Burrow!" Then she saw their red faces, "What's going on?" she asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," sighed Hermione.
The three walked over to Mr. and Mrs.Weasly, Ginny leading the way.
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Oh I just love being evil, don't you? MWAHAHAHA I decided that it would be too fast to have the confessions now, so they will come later!!
REVIEW OR ELSE THE BLACK JELLYBEAN OF DEATH WILL COME AND GET YOU! (sorry, inside joke!)
~~*Hermiones-Twin*~~