A/N: I own no one and nothing...except for this storyline...
Chapter 2: The Cryptic Letter
Harry, Ron, and Ginny bounded up the winding staircase. Upon reaching the top, they ran into Mr. Weasley.
"Hey, kids, watch where you're running. We haven't had that much noise since the twins moved out, and I'd like to enjoy the quiet-oh, hello, Harry!"
Mr. Weasley's face brightened. Harry assumed that a questioning of "Muggle fellytones" was coming. He glanced at Ron pleadingly.
Ron, catching on, cut to the chase and said, "Dad, we want Hermione's letter."
Mr. Weasley replied, "Oh, yes, I just sent Pig up to your room, Ron. Now, Harry, about those felly-"
His question was cut off by the thundering of more footsteps up the staircase. Ron was off like a rocket, with Harry and Ginny trailing behind.
"Oh, well, then, maybe later…"Mr. Weasley sighed.
In Ron's room, Pig sat on the bed, twittering away. Next to him lay an envelope, addressed with Hermione's perfect handwriting. Ron dove for the bed and ripped the envelope open. His smile glowed more brightly than a brand new Galleon, but as he read through the letter, his face fell.
"What's wrong, Ron?" panted Harry. He and Ginny had sprinted up the stairs, trying to catch up with Ron.
"Yeah, you…look like…someone swiped…your Cleansweep," gasped Ginny.
"What?" grunted Ron, still contemplating the letter. "No, Hermione's not coming!"
"What?" cried Ginny. "She promised in her last letter to me…"
"Why not?" questioned Harry. "Here, let me read that."
Ron, pale-faced and speechless, handed over the short letter. Harry read:
Dear Ron,
I'm really, really sorry, but I won't be able to make it to the Burrow this summer. I really wish I could, but my dad and I must attend the funeral of a relative and will be busy for the remainder of July and August. I'll see you, Harry, and Ginny on Platform 9 and ¾.
Much love,
Hermione
"Wow," murmured Ginny, who was reading over Harry's shoulder, a bit closer than she needed to be to see. "I can't imagine a summer without Hermione. She's practically family."
"Yeah," agreed Harry as he handed the letter back to Ron. "She didn't even ask how you were doing, Ron. That's not like Hermione not to be concerned about our lives. You know how she is…"
"Yeah…"moaned Ron, crumpling the letter in his fist. " She's not coming! I can't believe it!"
"But we'll see her in a week," Harry pointed out.
"Still," whined Ron sadly. He looked thoroughly depressed.
Ron continued to sulk throughout dinner. Over roast beef and mashed potatoes, Mr. Weasley questioned Harry about various Muggle appliances, until Harry thought he would scream. Ginny and Mrs. Weasley, seeing Harry's facial expressions, tried frantically to steer the conversation back to common territory, but it was no use.
Finally, Ron couldn't help himself. "Dad, Harry really doesn't care to discuss every little Muggle thing, whether or not it is a felly-tone, so why don't you just give him a break?" he spat.
Mrs. Weasley looked horrified at this little outburst. "Ronald! Talking like that to your father, and in front of a guest! That is unacceptable! Go up to your room and stay there for a while!"
Ginny held her breath, but at the same time looked as if she was about burst into giggles. Harry, knowing that laughter would only make Mrs. Weasley angrier, bit back a smile.
Ron stood up abruptly. "Fine!" he yelled defiantly. "Fine!" and with that, he headed to the staircase. "It's where I wanted to be anyway," he muttered under his breath.
Harry and Ginny exchanged looks and filled their mouths with food.
"Goodness," Mrs. Weasley huffed, "what's gotten into him?"
Harry hesitated to speak, but Ginny blurted tauntingly, "He's mad because his loooooooove isn't coming."
Harry shot Ginny a dirty look. Ginny smiled innocently. Harry sighed, helpless. Let Ron's "secret attraction" be known to all the world. There was not a thing Harry could do at this point.
"Oh, so Hermione's not coming?" Mr. Weasley asked casually, as if this was old news. "That's too bad. I wanted to ask her about those new Stay-Playtons-"
"Play-Stations," Harry corrected. "Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley; I think I'm going to go check on Ron. Er, see how he's coping, you know?" He knew it was a lame excuse, but he was feeling a bit uncomfortable. It was strange to hear Ron's family discuss his obvious fondness for Hermione, while at the same time, he tried so hard to hide it.
Ginny suppressed another giggle, but Mrs. Weasley said, "Go ahead, dear. We understand. Poor Ron's practically been counting down the days till Hermione arrived. Now that she's not coming, he's got to be extremely disappointed."
Harry, feeling Mrs. Weasley had just stated the obvious, muttered, "Ah…yes, well, I'll go see how he is," and made a mad dash for the staircase.
A/N: Please read/review! Thanx!