*
AN- There I said it would be more frequent didn't it! Thanks so much to everyone, your support is really encouraging!
*
Ginny demanded of Hermione.
Harry tore his eyes away from the fiery redheaded woman who seemed, if possible to have become even more beautiful since he had last seen her, and glanced at Hermione who looked positively terrified.
Harry felt the old surge of guilt sweep over him- Ginny had been the one most hurt by his decision to become a Field Auror. And yet he had half expected her to follow along his path. Now he saw that he had been just as arrogant as Ron in expecting her to do so. Like Hermione, Ginny had chosen a career more suitable to her own skills.
The Stones Case, Hermione said miserably.
What about it? Ginny demanded, What has it go to do with them?
She spat the last word disgustedly throwing Ron a look of poor loathing. Harry- she avoided eye contact with all together-, which to him was far more hurtful than anything she could say or do.
They discovered linked murders, Hermione said, This Diamond must know of our connection and he's using it- I don't know how.
Ginny turned and fled the room, followed closely by Hermione. Harry stood frozen to the spot, Ron sunk back into the chair he had been sitting in and Remus sighed heavily.
Harry asked Remus weakly.
The Press Officer- don't you read the prophet? Ginny is the only reporter Hermione trusts. It's important to get some cases out into the open you see. Remus said sounding tired and worn.
She might have warned us- then we would have stayed out of the way. Ron said huffily.
As I'm sure she would have done, Remus said, If Tiffany hadn't turned up.
She's irresponsible that's what she is! Ron said angrily, She should never have brought Ginny into it!
Ginny was involved before either of you came along! The story's been in the Prophet ever since the first body was found! Don't you read the papers? Remus said his voice cold and angry. Harry had rarely seen him like this.
Well excuse me if I'm too busy risking my life! Ron shouted, he sounded like a petulant child to Harry.
I see, Remus replied in icy tones reminiscent of Hermione, That's what it's all about is it? The old argument- Field Auror's are the ones doing the real work are they?
Ron's face went redder than his hair in embarrassment and shame.
He said pathetically, That's not what I meant.
Remus nodded but there was still a lingering anger in his usually kind brown eyes.
It's ok, He replied at length, I'm just very on edge as I'm sure you are too. Kathryn and I are working so hard to overcome these prejudices between divisions.
I'm sorry. Ron muttered.
You're keeping quiet Harry. Remus said, as a way of changing the subject.
Harry blinked surprised at being addressed. He had moved over to Hermione's window and was staring out over the snow-covered grounds, awash with different emotions. It was strange, for although many years had passed it seemed that he felt no differently about Ginny.
Yet she had moved on, the whole world had moved on while he was still dwelling on the emotions he had felt as he left school. It seemed to be the same with Ron- there could be no questioning that he was still in love with Hermione however much he pretended to hate her- which left Harry wondering whether or not Hermione's apparently disapproving view of their profession was justified.
Ron asked.
The world's moved on. Harry replied quietly.
*
Sitting in an unused and dusty office Hermione bit her lip miserably, and avoided Ginny's furious gaze.
Why didn't you say something? She demanded.
I didn't want to upset you. Hermione replied.
Upset me! What do you think running into them has done to me? She raged.
I'm sorry Ginny Hermione said weakly.
You should have warned me!
I can see that now, Hermione replied, I just didn't think that you'd have to see each other!
Well we did, didn't we? She said bitterly.
At least you haven't been pushed into working with them! Hermione finally snapped, her patience gone.
Unexpectedly, Ginny's expression softened, This is what's been upsetting you hasn't it?
Hermione asked, confused by her change in tone.
I mean you were late last night- you're never late unless you've been upset by something- you were a near a nervous breakdown this morning when I called you in the fire. Ginny replied slowly.
It's been awful Gin, Hermione admitted, I wanted to tell you but Collin, Remus and me decided that it was best you didn't know.
I understand, Ginny said.
Oh they annoy me so much! Hermione said angrily, They're so superior- it's like what I'm doing isn't worthwhile!
They just couldn't settle down, Ginny said, They just can't learn to live without fighting evil every second of the day. It's all Harry's ever known.
Oh I know. Hermione said heavily, It's just difficult to accept.
Ginny said briskly, I'll just take you're notes and write up the report at the office.
Yeah- sorry about this afternoon- Harry and Ron or no Harry and Ron I would have done our usual but there's a witness come forward.
She asked,
It's strictly confidential for the moment, Hermione said slowly.
I won't leak it.
A girl claiming to know Diamond, she claims the stones give them power to do wandless magic.
You what? Ginny asked.
Look I'll explain more tonight. Why don't we meet at our café, before going on to the twins' party- I take it you're going?
Although Hermione had only just remembered about the party she knew that it had been planned for months. The twins had arranged a pre Christmas party. A chance for their brother's and their wives get away from their children for a few hours. It was an annual event and something Hermione usually enjoyed.
Ginny smiled, Yeah sure.
The party starts at eight, so I'll meet you at the café at seven.
Ginny said gathering the notes that Hermione had given her.
I'll come with you to the entrance; I'd need some fresh air. Hermione said.
*
Harry stood at the window of Hermione's office from where he hadn't moved since the two women had left, almost half an hour ago. Ron and Remus had left to check on Tiffany.
He watched as the Investigative Auror's walked past in their purple cloaks. When Ginny came into his line of view he started once more. Hermione was with her and they where now smiling, laughing, joking. He felt another twinge of pain, how many times had he seen them like that? How many times had he been free to join in with them? Not now
He watched Hermione as Hermione hugged Ginny and waved the red haired woman off down the path towards the apparation point and wondered, not for the first time that day, if he had done the right thing by becoming a Field Auror.
*
Ron skulked out of the Hospital Wing. Remus was still in conversation with the Healer about the Topaz girl's welfare. Ron couldn't understand why they didn't just use vertiserum to get the truth out of her but Remus said that forcing the words didn't always give all the answers. He'd accepted this answer but still couldn't understand it.
Yet his solid beliefs about Investigative Auror's were being challenged. Contrary to his belief of them being over-paid fool, there was method in their madness and some of the techniques seemed to work. Yet he still couldn't get over the fact that they called themselves Auror's yet were never in any danger.
He was about to make his way back up to Hermione's office to ask about going to survey the Port-Key centres again when he noticed her coming back in from the cold.
How is she? Ron asked her when she joined him.
Hermione replied simply.
Not at you? He asked- although he wouldn't have put it past his sister to blow up at her friend.
Not really- no she's just angry at you two- and so am I. There's no point in pretending I'm not.
What have you got to be angry about? Ron snapped, We expected you to join us, we are the ones who were betrayed!
Did I ever promise to be a Field Auror? Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes dangerously.
When he didn't reply she continued, No, I seem to remember that I was more worried with fighting off a disintegrating disease.
Feeling again ashamed of himself and of his big mouth Ron looked away, but he couldn't stop himself asking:
So why did you change your mind?
I nearly lost my life. And it wasn't like that last battle with Voldemort when we had a victory to celebrate together; it was something I did by myself.
I don't understand, He said slowly.
Everything that had happened over our school years, the early adventures when we didn't really understand what we were getting ourselves into then joining together with others in the DA and learning how to defend ourselves having to put those new skills into practice and then loosing Siriusfighting with the Order ourselves long before we were ready helping Harry toto kill Voldemort
Her eyes where shining with tears and the adamant belief that what she was saying was right. He was reminded suddenly and painfully of how much he loved her- had loved her that was.
And for the first time, I had time to think about it. I saw that I could do other things. My skills could be used elsewhere I saw that I couldn't abandon my family for a start. The only reason we got through what we did was that we stuck together. I saw that you and Harry had made a terrible mistake in cutting yourselves of from the world. She said, shaking.
Terrible mistake? Ron asked incredulously.
She replied resolutely, And I've spent all these years fearing for your safety.
My only comfort was that you where together and at least you had each other.
I don't understand, Ron whispered, at a loss as to what she was getting at.
Don't you see? She half-shouted gaining curious looks from passers-by, lowering her voice she continued, Drifting apart from everyone you care for only hurts them more than any danger you could but yourself in.
But what about us Hermione, He asked, What about what we had. If you'd come to join me things could have gone on between us.
She gulped, a tear trickling down her now pale cheek and she said in a somewhat choked voice, I thought you'd love me enough to understand.
Merlin Hermione! How could I understand that you'd turned away from an ambition we'd had for over two years? He said savagely.
She asked, It was your ambition Ron, yours and Harry's. Somehow you just expected me to follow.
With that she turned away from him. Ron was a left a state of uncertain emotions; he wasn't sure whether to feel angry or guilty. All he did know was that Hermione must hate him. Her words had been the confused liberation of thoughts she'd had for four years- and somewhere Ron felt that there was a weird sort of sense in them.
*
Ginny sat in the little café that she and Hermione visited often, feeling thoroughly grumpy. They had done for many years: it was not far from her twin brother's house but they had discovered it during a long and boring summer spent at Number Twelve Grimauld Place.
It was just around the corner from the old house's entrance, it had been the summer after Sirius' death when they had all been kept at the Order's headquarters for their own safety. The Café was run by a trusted old witch, who, when the two young girls had stumbled into her café, had known at once that they shouldn't have been out of the house. For she was a member of the Order herself and knew of the perils that surrounded anyone connected with the name of Harry Potter.
Nevertheless she had, after consulting with Dumbledore, encouraged their visits, which was why they still visited, years later when the danger had passed.
You look nice, Mrs Lovegood said smiling, Are you going somewhere this evening?
Yeah- it's Fred and George's annual party, Ginny replied grinning despite her bad mood.
Mrs Lovegood was the grandmother of one of Ginny's Hogwarts friends- a slightly mad seer called Luna. Unlike her granddaughter, Mrs Lovegood was a very down-to-earth person who loved nothing better than to chat with her customers.
Agh I see! Yes I think Luna and Neville were going Mrs Lovegood replied, You're waiting for Hermione then?
Ginny replied.
Yet there is something troubling you? Mrs Lovegood asked, accurate as ever.
Ginny nodded slowly, Just old faces, dragging up the past again.
Old faces? Mrs Lovegood asked, Surely not?
Ginny replied sadly.
How then? Why? The old woman asked, looking alarmed.
You know this business with the sixteen year olds being killed? Ginny asked.
Yes, The Stones case right? Mrs Lovegood asked.
Well they discovered linked murders, so now Hermione's being forced to work with them.
Mrs Lovegood whispered scandalised, Poor girl!
Ginny didn't have a chance to reply however, for at that moment Hermione appeared at the door, and smiling made her way to their table.
Hello Hermione dear, Ginny's just been telling me about your trouble. Mrs Lovegood said as Hermione approached.
How's it been? Ginny asked her.
Fine I suppose- we've been at the Port Key centres all afternoon. No luck though, the records are badly kept at the best of times. Hermione replied heavily.
The usual girls? Mrs Lovegood asked them.
Yeah thanks, Hermione said.
Mrs Lovegood bustled away.
So tell me about this witness, Ginny prompted.
Well there's not much to tell. She seems to think she can do wandless magic, Hermione said heavily.
Sensing that Hermione didn't really want to talk about it, Ginny changed the subject, I think Fred and George are going to surpass themselves tonight.
Hermione grinned, Oh really, how?
They wouldn't say. Ginny replied laughing, Knowing them it could be anything.
I'll drink to that, Hermione said, lifting her steaming mug of coffee that Mrs Lovegood had brought them.
AN- The next chapter won't be so dark! I promise! Fred and Geroge's party so hopefully I'll get some laughs in! Lol, please review!