by dr. z
A/N: I thought of writing a long list of excuses, but never mind...I'm so sorry it took me three weeks to update...yes, I've been counting too...but...this is only a PARTIAL Chapter 7, well, because the wonderful plot bunny scampered away!!! I'm going to post the chapter, un-beta-read, anyway and would like you, dear readers, to suggest whatever you guys want to happen next! A big hello to trina-k, my wonderful beta-reader, who is in the states right now...
DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter doesn't belong to me!
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Chapter 7: Setting the Pace
On the eve of the Christmas holidays, Hermione returned to the common room a few hours after dinner with a leather bound book in her hands. Entering the almost empty Gryffindor Common Room, she came upon two figures hunched over something in front of the fire. Upon closer inspection, the figures turned out to be Ron and Harry engaging in a game of wizard's chess. Studying the board a bit, she smirked. Of course, Ron was winning.
"Don't tell me you're going to bring that to the Burrow, 'Mione. It's the holidays. Can't your studying go on holiday as well?" Ron remarked and gave the book in her hands a look as if it were something vile.
"Very funny," Hermione retorted. "I don't know why you like to ask questions you yourself already know the answer to. Honestly, Ron, it's just a book. Another muggle novel to be exact. I just finished the other and decided that ---"
Harry decided to join in the exchange. "It's actually quite an achievement, mate. She only has one book in her hand! We have to hand it to her. I must say I'm proud of you, Hermione. Just one book for the entire two weeks of the holiday!"
Hermione put on her best 'stop annoying me or I'll hit you round the head with the bloody book' look. The two young men before her laughed lightly at her expense.
They were interrupted when the door to the Girls Dorms swung open to reveal little Gillian in her nightgown, the china doll tucked under her right arm. She was sniffling slightly and wiping her eyes from her tears with her free hand and proceeded down the steps.
Ron stood up from the couch and walked over to her. He bent down on one knee in front of her and touched her hair. She leaned against him and put her head in the crook of his neck. He pulled her closer to him and gently lifted her as he stood up.
"Couldn't sleep, Gilly?" He asked her softly, rubbing her back in what he hoped was comforting enough..
"Bad people in my dreams! M wasn't in bed!" She whimpered, clutching her doll tighter with the crook of her arm. Her other arm was wrapped around Ron's neck. She closed her eyes and rubbed her nose against Ron's sweater.
"I'm here, Gill. Let's go to sleep then," Hermione answered as she shoved the novel into the book bag that was slung on her shoulder. She took Gillian from Ron, bade the two good night and trooped back up to the Girls Dorms.
"Come on, mate, let's finish this," Harry said, gesturing to the unfinished game on the table. "Or shall we go up?"
However, Ron continued to stare at the, now closed, door leading to the Girls Dorms. He ran a distracted hand through his hair causing it to stand in several places.
Harry sighed, "I'm sure she'll be fine. You'll see them tomorrow, Ron."
Ron simply shrugged. "I can't help but feel worried," he sat back down to face the board.
"It comes with the territory, I suppose," Harry answered. He suddenly stood up, walked around the table to where Ron was and put a hand on his best friend's shoulder.
"Come on, dad, let's go up to the dorms," he said, jokingly.
"Shut up, Harry!" answered Ron, chuckling. He stood up as well and put an arm around Harry's shoulders and the two trooped up the steps, the chessboard long forgotten.
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In the Girls Dorms, Hermione had finished changing into her nightgown and was now sitting, legs folded at her side, on Lavender's bed, brushing her long brown hair, and making light conversation with Lavender and Parvati. Gillian had not bothered to go back to sleep and was now contentedly busy bouncing on Hermione's bed.
"My-nee," Gillian called to the older girl. "Can we go to bed now?"
Hermione gave an apologetic smile to the other girls and bade them good night. Parvati and Lavender exchanged amused grins and bade their friend good night, as well, as she stood and walked back to her four-poster.
"Where are we going tomorrow?"
"Well," answered Hermione, as she got under the covers. Gillian stopped bouncing and got under the covers as well. "we're going to go to the post office to take a Portkey back to Platform 9 ¾."
"Yes, Gill, we have to go to Hogsmeade."
"But…t-t-the bad men...t-t-they'll come again…" she started crying all over again. The return of the nightmares, visions from the attack on the wizarding village, that had been plaguing her came back in full force. Gillian leaned into Hermione's embrace and found security in her arms.
"Shh…" Hermione soothed. "It's going to be alright. We're not going to let anything happen to you…"
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"I'll see you in two days, alright?" Hermione gave Gillian a kiss on the forehead. When she moved to stand up, she found that Gillian had not released her hold. The embrace was getting a little uncomfortable.
"Erm, Gill, you can let go of me now," Hermione said.
"You can't make me!" she answered.
"Come on, Gilly. You'll see 'Mione in a few days." Ron started to gently pry Gillian's fingers from Hermione's neck. He kneeled behind Gillian and reached behind Hermione to get the little girl's fingers loose. It almost looked like Ron and Hermione were hugging with little Gillian in the middle. When he finally succeeded, he held on to Gillian hands, to keep her from flinging back to Hermione, as Hermione stood up quickly out of the way.
The Grangers and the Weasleys were among the first set of parents to arrive on Platform 9 ¾ to greet their children. Hermione was to spend Christmas Eve with her parents before flooing to the Burrow for Christmas Day and the New Year's up to when they would return for the next term.
"Thanks, Ron," Hermione said, wiping invisible dust from her jeans.
"No problem," Ron answered. He was holding on to Gillian now, her head tucked in the crook of Ron's neck. She was looking at Hermione, slightly teary-eyed.
"Oh Gill," Hermione noticed the lone tear streak down her cheek. "I won't be long." She wiped the tear away with her thumb.
Hermione leaned a bit to give Gillian a kiss on the cheek, but stopped as soon as she realized how close she was to Ron. Shaking her head to clear that thought, she leaned in again and kissed Gillian and quickly withdrew, taking a step back to balance herself.
"Aren't you going to give Jet a kiss too?" Gillian said, smiling, her brown eyes twinkling.
Hermione could feel a blush creeping up her cheeks, praying silently that it didn't show. After all, she never once blushed when she kissed Ron on the cheek in greeting, why should this instance be any different?
She inconspicuously took in a breath and took a step toward them. Ron suddenly found Gillian's red hair very interesting. She leaned in and closed her eyes, at the same time, Ron turned to look at her. Hermione kissed Ron, all right, directly off target!
She broke contact abruptly and bit her lower lip unconsciously.
"Erm…see you in a few days…Jet," she said and turned around to meet her parents, a full blush on her face.
"See you…M," he answered. He could feel the tips of his ears reddened and heat up. He reckoned his entire face was a brilliant shade of crimson.
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A/N: I am not a romantic at heart, so bear with my incapacity to credible fluff! I left lots of holes for you people to fill with your wild imaginations! Think of this as a springboard to more things interesting...Jet, M? Say it 4 times fast and you may get it...*hint: you'll get it if you know French* I know they're pathetic nicknames...suggestions will be welcomed with open arms and a crown of santan (small flowers that come in red, yellow, orange, white and even pink variations)! ~z