(A/N: I hope everyone got my little e-mail thingy advertising the story!
Thank you all for all the reviews! Its true what everybody says, they
really do brighten your day! Lol...This chapter is heavy so um...be prepared. I
goes a tad bit fast for my liking but oh well, hope its to your liking!)
pyroprincess4rmeverwood: Glad your liking the story! Don't worry about being gone. If my calendar is right and everything then I pretty sure I'm going to be gone the 12th through the 15th or 16th but more on that later!
Orchid6297: You have definitely won the title of fastest reviewer! Thanks for that! Lol... In SORT TORDU they were a bit too harsh, its time for there to be peace within the group. For now at least...dun dun dun!
Lady Slone of Snow Mt: Glad you love it! Hope the update was fast enough!
Devils-fire: I looked for the login thing you were talking about and couldn't find it. hmm...I'll keep my eyes open for it! Don't worry about remembering things, I easily understand, it's a long fic, and its been a while!
Rinaula: Thanks for reviewing every chapter! That really helps! Glad I could make you laugh! Fred and George are absolutely hilarious, I love them!
(A/N: my account says there are other reviews but I can't see them so anyone not mentioned, I'm sorry, your reviews are still appreciated!!! Well here's Chapter Four, enjoy! Hugs, Haystack)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Harry Potter own I do not. Not do I own Harry Potter. I own Harry Potter...Not. Don't I own Harry Potter? Hmm...lol...=) CHAPTER FOUR: OF TIMES BEFORE
"Hurry! Hurry dears! We're going to miss it!" Mrs. Weasley's voice shrieked at the four teenagers who were huffing and puffing, pushing their cart of luggage at the eldest Weasley's pace.
"Ginny! Ron! You first! Go!" Ron and Ginny began running headlong into the brick wall in between platforms 9 and 10. To any passing Muggles, this would have looked very strange indeed but to Hermione and the rest of the Wizarding world it was only natural.
Once Ron and Ginny had disappeared within the platform, Neville and Hermione rolled their carts to face the brick wall. Being born a Muggle, Hermione always got nervous. It was a matter of trust. Did she really trust the wall looming ahead enough to run straight at it? Gritting her teeth, Hermione took a deep breath and began to run, Neville at her side. One moment Hermione was staring at the ugly barrier and the next she was facing the beautiful Hogwarts Express; it happened that quickly. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley appeared moments later as they all raced to get their luggage onto the red train.
Breathing heavily Mr. and Mrs. Weasley hugged each of the four; Mrs. Weasley kissing all children as they hopped onto the moving train, watching the couple fading into the distance.
Sighing Neville said, "We better find a compartment before they're all filled up"
Walking through the train, checking for empty compartments the four came across many of their fellow classmates and friends.
"Oy! Ron! Hermione! Ginny! Neville!" A voice cried out
The group turned around to see a grinning Seamus Finnegan. "Hey Seamus!" Ginny said smiling
"How were your holidays?"
"Good, You?"
"Swell. Me family went to Spain...wicked fun."
"That's great." Ron said.
"Yes well, how about you all join us for a game of exploding snap?"
The four looked at each other. "Sure why not?" Hermione said.
Opening the compartment door revealed Lavender Brown talking earnestly to Parvati Patil and her twin sister Padma, and Dean Thomas and Colin Creevy attempting to set up the game. "Hey, look who I found!" Seamus said brightly, stepping aside showing the compartment Hermione, Ron, Neville and Ginny who stood there smiling.
"Yes finally!" Dean exclaimed. "Ron you know how to work these right?"
"Of course"
"Hermione! Ginny! Over here!" Lavender said enthusiastically. Hermione sat down next to the girl, brimming with energy; Ginny following her.
"What's new Lavender?" Hermione asked
"Lots." Ginny leaned in eagerly but Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. Lavender didn't notice. "We were sitting here, kind of bored, watching the boys, with nothing better to do. So we decided to see that since the war, everyone's been pairing up lately and the girls and I" Lavender motioned towards Patil and Padma on her left "were looking to see who isn't a couple. Now Ginny, I know about Harry but dear you have to move on. Is there anyone else?"
Hermione dared to steal a glance at Ginny who moments ago had been eagerly leaning in to catch a bit of news, had just turned white at the abrupt mention of Harry and then red, fuming with anger.
"HOW DARE YOU!" She screamed, causing Patil, Padma, and Lavender jump and the rest of the compartment go silent. "NO THERE IS NO ONE ELSE!! I KNOW THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO MOVE ON BUT I'D PREFER TO NOT HAVE THE WHOLE BLOODY SCHOOL KNOW ABOUT IT!!! AND I REALLY DON'T APPRECIATE YOU JUMPING TO THIS NOT EVEN FIVE MINUTES AFTER SEEING ME!"
"Ginny!" Hermione made an attempt to calm the red head.
"NO!" Ginny screamed back at Hermione who, at the outburst, backed away hurt.
Both Neville and Ron hurried over but before either one of them could say a word, Neville grabbed Ginny's hand and forced her out of the room, slamming the door behind them. Everyone was looking at each other wide eyed.
"Sorry 'bout that Lavender." Ron mumbled. "She's real sensitive about Harry"
"It's okay Ron but I really had no idea. I'm so sorry. She must have really loved him."
"Yea" was all Ron said "But still it's not fair for her to take it all out on you."
Hermione stared at Ron curiously. It wasn't like Ron to apologize more than once, especially when it came to Harry.
"NEVILLE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! I WASN'T DONE!" Ginny shrieked into the empty hallway.
"Yes you are." Neville said breathing heavily, running a hand through his hair. He sighed. "Ginny..." He scolded
"I know" She said ashamed looking to the floor. "But she--"
"Stop!" Neville interrupted. "Ginny c'mon. I realize how hard this must be for you but you promised."
"I tried! I really did!" Ginny cried. Neville gave her a look. "Okay so maybe I didn't try as hard as I should have, but how dare she think I'd move on? That there would be someone else!!"
"Because she's right." Neville said softly but when Ginny tried to interrupt he put a finger to her lips. "Harry wants you to be happy. Harry wants you to move on in life. Remember? We've been through this. It's not insulting Harry for there to be someone else, and people aren't trying to, when they ask you stuff like that. People can only grieve for so long Gin."
Ginny sighed. "Your right, as usual. Sorry. Uh...Neville, you can let go of my face now."
Completely forgetting that he had his hand cupping her chin, Neville blushed slightly before quickly removing his hand. "Thanks" He heard Ginny say and then felt her petite form press against his as she hugged him.
Ginny and Neville had entered the compartment once again and everything resumed as normal, as if nothing had happened; though Ginny did apologize to Lavender. Needless to say though, the topic of other blokes and gossip were dropped immediately and never mentioned again.
As the group neared its fourteenth game of exploding snap, the trolley lady came around offering everyone some food. Hermione stole a glance at Ron who was looking at the food as if it contained Lord Voldemort. Instantly she knew what was bothering him, for the feeling has arisen in her stomach too; eating away ruthlessly inside of her. The others were busy buying their own sweets and hadn't noticed. Desperate for it to go away Hermione asked to the lady for two of everything. Taking the candy, she made her way over towards Ron who was still staring at the door that had shut when the Trolley had left. "Ron?"
"Yea?"
"Here. Here's your share." Hermione shoved the sweets into Ron's arms and sat down next to him.
But instead of immediately ripping open the wrappers, as he usually did, Ron stared at the candy in his arms. "'Mione what's this?" He exclaimed curiously.
"It's yours Ron. Go on; eat. I didn't poison it."
"Why did you buy me the candy?" He asked gently
"Because I just did. Now stop being stubborn."
"It's because of Harry isn't it?" Ron whispered
"No it's not! I just thought--"
"He always bought us sweets off the trolley. I know you remember. That's why you bought us the candy right?" He interrupted.
Hermione didn't know how to respond to this. She had hoped that it hadn't that obvious, but Ron was right. It just hadn't felt right without Harry. Sadly she shook her head. "Come here," Ron said gently, opening his arms as Hermione gratefully accepted his offer for a hug.
But suddenly another student bursted through the compartment doors; letting the doors bang behind them. All stared as Cho Chang peered at the faces of everyone; making Ron feel very uncomfortable. Finally she spotted who she was looking for and as she did, burst into tears, as she rushed over to Padma.
"Padma! I can't do it! I can't! Everything reminds me of him! What am I supposed to do?!" At this Cho burst into another set of sobs as Padma rubbed her friend's back affectionately.
"What's wrong with her?" Ron asked abruptly. Everyone stared, wide eyed at him; well, everyone that is, except for Ginny, Neville, and Hermione. "What?!"
"You mean you don't know?!" Lavender gasped making the moment much more dramatic than needed.
"Know what?" Hermione asked calmly standing up next to Ron.
Padma began to cry with Cho and Parvati spoke, "Roger Davis, you remember him, Quidditch captain of Ravenclaw, he died."
"What do you mean he died?!" Ginny asked horrified.
"You all honestly don't know?" Parvati asked sadly. They all shook their heads no. She sighed. "He got killed during the war."
"You're joking!" Ron said
"Wish we were"
"B-But how did this happen?" Hermione asked
"Why are we suddenly hearing about now?" Neville asked
"The whole school knows. It was in the papers so everybody else knows too. What I don't get, is how you all could sit through his funeral and not know that he'd died!" Lavender gave them all a puzzled look.
"W-Who else?" Neville asked timidly
"What do you mean who else?" Padma asked through tears
"Who else died besides Roger?" Neville asked again more boldly this time.
Everyone in the compartment gave him a curious expression. "Neville man, there were like 20 something casualties!" Seamus exclaimed. Ginny screamed and Hermione gasped, placing a delicate hand over her mouth, Ron's jaw just dropped to the floor and Neville's eyes got very round.
"Name them"
"Uh...lemme see. Well, Roger Davis--" Seamus was interrupted by another shriek and set of sobs from Cho. "Yeah, well him and Crabbe, Susan Bones, Justin-Finch-Fletchy, Natalie McDonald, Jake Sloper, Dennis Creevy and uhh...that's all I can remember."
"Dennis? As is Colin's little brother?" Ginny asked horrified
"Yea" Colin said
"Colin! I'm so sorry!" Ginny shrieked as she threw her arms around Colin
"It's okay. I mean he died fighting, I'm real proud of him for that." Colin said bravely attempting to smile but failing miserably.
"Help me out here Dean! I can't think of anymore!"
"There was Megan Jones, Mitchell Lock, Lisa Turpin, and Orla Quirke.
"Don't forget Malcom Baddock, Terence Higgs, and Marcus Flint from Slytherin!" Parvati chirped in
"Yea so that's fourteen."
"Sixteen" Hermione mumbled
"Huh?"
"Luna and Harry. That's sixteen"
"Yeah" Dean said awed "sixteen kids from Hogwarts. Sixteen of our friends...That bloody well sucks doesn't it?!"
(A/N: Whew! Long chapter! Anywoo hope you all enjoyed! More to come I promise! Luv ya Haystack
p.s. oops I almost forgot: Review!)
pyroprincess4rmeverwood: Glad your liking the story! Don't worry about being gone. If my calendar is right and everything then I pretty sure I'm going to be gone the 12th through the 15th or 16th but more on that later!
Orchid6297: You have definitely won the title of fastest reviewer! Thanks for that! Lol... In SORT TORDU they were a bit too harsh, its time for there to be peace within the group. For now at least...dun dun dun!
Lady Slone of Snow Mt: Glad you love it! Hope the update was fast enough!
Devils-fire: I looked for the login thing you were talking about and couldn't find it. hmm...I'll keep my eyes open for it! Don't worry about remembering things, I easily understand, it's a long fic, and its been a while!
Rinaula: Thanks for reviewing every chapter! That really helps! Glad I could make you laugh! Fred and George are absolutely hilarious, I love them!
(A/N: my account says there are other reviews but I can't see them so anyone not mentioned, I'm sorry, your reviews are still appreciated!!! Well here's Chapter Four, enjoy! Hugs, Haystack)
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Harry Potter own I do not. Not do I own Harry Potter. I own Harry Potter...Not. Don't I own Harry Potter? Hmm...lol...=) CHAPTER FOUR: OF TIMES BEFORE
"Hurry! Hurry dears! We're going to miss it!" Mrs. Weasley's voice shrieked at the four teenagers who were huffing and puffing, pushing their cart of luggage at the eldest Weasley's pace.
"Ginny! Ron! You first! Go!" Ron and Ginny began running headlong into the brick wall in between platforms 9 and 10. To any passing Muggles, this would have looked very strange indeed but to Hermione and the rest of the Wizarding world it was only natural.
Once Ron and Ginny had disappeared within the platform, Neville and Hermione rolled their carts to face the brick wall. Being born a Muggle, Hermione always got nervous. It was a matter of trust. Did she really trust the wall looming ahead enough to run straight at it? Gritting her teeth, Hermione took a deep breath and began to run, Neville at her side. One moment Hermione was staring at the ugly barrier and the next she was facing the beautiful Hogwarts Express; it happened that quickly. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley appeared moments later as they all raced to get their luggage onto the red train.
Breathing heavily Mr. and Mrs. Weasley hugged each of the four; Mrs. Weasley kissing all children as they hopped onto the moving train, watching the couple fading into the distance.
Sighing Neville said, "We better find a compartment before they're all filled up"
Walking through the train, checking for empty compartments the four came across many of their fellow classmates and friends.
"Oy! Ron! Hermione! Ginny! Neville!" A voice cried out
The group turned around to see a grinning Seamus Finnegan. "Hey Seamus!" Ginny said smiling
"How were your holidays?"
"Good, You?"
"Swell. Me family went to Spain...wicked fun."
"That's great." Ron said.
"Yes well, how about you all join us for a game of exploding snap?"
The four looked at each other. "Sure why not?" Hermione said.
Opening the compartment door revealed Lavender Brown talking earnestly to Parvati Patil and her twin sister Padma, and Dean Thomas and Colin Creevy attempting to set up the game. "Hey, look who I found!" Seamus said brightly, stepping aside showing the compartment Hermione, Ron, Neville and Ginny who stood there smiling.
"Yes finally!" Dean exclaimed. "Ron you know how to work these right?"
"Of course"
"Hermione! Ginny! Over here!" Lavender said enthusiastically. Hermione sat down next to the girl, brimming with energy; Ginny following her.
"What's new Lavender?" Hermione asked
"Lots." Ginny leaned in eagerly but Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. Lavender didn't notice. "We were sitting here, kind of bored, watching the boys, with nothing better to do. So we decided to see that since the war, everyone's been pairing up lately and the girls and I" Lavender motioned towards Patil and Padma on her left "were looking to see who isn't a couple. Now Ginny, I know about Harry but dear you have to move on. Is there anyone else?"
Hermione dared to steal a glance at Ginny who moments ago had been eagerly leaning in to catch a bit of news, had just turned white at the abrupt mention of Harry and then red, fuming with anger.
"HOW DARE YOU!" She screamed, causing Patil, Padma, and Lavender jump and the rest of the compartment go silent. "NO THERE IS NO ONE ELSE!! I KNOW THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO MOVE ON BUT I'D PREFER TO NOT HAVE THE WHOLE BLOODY SCHOOL KNOW ABOUT IT!!! AND I REALLY DON'T APPRECIATE YOU JUMPING TO THIS NOT EVEN FIVE MINUTES AFTER SEEING ME!"
"Ginny!" Hermione made an attempt to calm the red head.
"NO!" Ginny screamed back at Hermione who, at the outburst, backed away hurt.
Both Neville and Ron hurried over but before either one of them could say a word, Neville grabbed Ginny's hand and forced her out of the room, slamming the door behind them. Everyone was looking at each other wide eyed.
"Sorry 'bout that Lavender." Ron mumbled. "She's real sensitive about Harry"
"It's okay Ron but I really had no idea. I'm so sorry. She must have really loved him."
"Yea" was all Ron said "But still it's not fair for her to take it all out on you."
Hermione stared at Ron curiously. It wasn't like Ron to apologize more than once, especially when it came to Harry.
"NEVILLE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! I WASN'T DONE!" Ginny shrieked into the empty hallway.
"Yes you are." Neville said breathing heavily, running a hand through his hair. He sighed. "Ginny..." He scolded
"I know" She said ashamed looking to the floor. "But she--"
"Stop!" Neville interrupted. "Ginny c'mon. I realize how hard this must be for you but you promised."
"I tried! I really did!" Ginny cried. Neville gave her a look. "Okay so maybe I didn't try as hard as I should have, but how dare she think I'd move on? That there would be someone else!!"
"Because she's right." Neville said softly but when Ginny tried to interrupt he put a finger to her lips. "Harry wants you to be happy. Harry wants you to move on in life. Remember? We've been through this. It's not insulting Harry for there to be someone else, and people aren't trying to, when they ask you stuff like that. People can only grieve for so long Gin."
Ginny sighed. "Your right, as usual. Sorry. Uh...Neville, you can let go of my face now."
Completely forgetting that he had his hand cupping her chin, Neville blushed slightly before quickly removing his hand. "Thanks" He heard Ginny say and then felt her petite form press against his as she hugged him.
Ginny and Neville had entered the compartment once again and everything resumed as normal, as if nothing had happened; though Ginny did apologize to Lavender. Needless to say though, the topic of other blokes and gossip were dropped immediately and never mentioned again.
As the group neared its fourteenth game of exploding snap, the trolley lady came around offering everyone some food. Hermione stole a glance at Ron who was looking at the food as if it contained Lord Voldemort. Instantly she knew what was bothering him, for the feeling has arisen in her stomach too; eating away ruthlessly inside of her. The others were busy buying their own sweets and hadn't noticed. Desperate for it to go away Hermione asked to the lady for two of everything. Taking the candy, she made her way over towards Ron who was still staring at the door that had shut when the Trolley had left. "Ron?"
"Yea?"
"Here. Here's your share." Hermione shoved the sweets into Ron's arms and sat down next to him.
But instead of immediately ripping open the wrappers, as he usually did, Ron stared at the candy in his arms. "'Mione what's this?" He exclaimed curiously.
"It's yours Ron. Go on; eat. I didn't poison it."
"Why did you buy me the candy?" He asked gently
"Because I just did. Now stop being stubborn."
"It's because of Harry isn't it?" Ron whispered
"No it's not! I just thought--"
"He always bought us sweets off the trolley. I know you remember. That's why you bought us the candy right?" He interrupted.
Hermione didn't know how to respond to this. She had hoped that it hadn't that obvious, but Ron was right. It just hadn't felt right without Harry. Sadly she shook her head. "Come here," Ron said gently, opening his arms as Hermione gratefully accepted his offer for a hug.
But suddenly another student bursted through the compartment doors; letting the doors bang behind them. All stared as Cho Chang peered at the faces of everyone; making Ron feel very uncomfortable. Finally she spotted who she was looking for and as she did, burst into tears, as she rushed over to Padma.
"Padma! I can't do it! I can't! Everything reminds me of him! What am I supposed to do?!" At this Cho burst into another set of sobs as Padma rubbed her friend's back affectionately.
"What's wrong with her?" Ron asked abruptly. Everyone stared, wide eyed at him; well, everyone that is, except for Ginny, Neville, and Hermione. "What?!"
"You mean you don't know?!" Lavender gasped making the moment much more dramatic than needed.
"Know what?" Hermione asked calmly standing up next to Ron.
Padma began to cry with Cho and Parvati spoke, "Roger Davis, you remember him, Quidditch captain of Ravenclaw, he died."
"What do you mean he died?!" Ginny asked horrified.
"You all honestly don't know?" Parvati asked sadly. They all shook their heads no. She sighed. "He got killed during the war."
"You're joking!" Ron said
"Wish we were"
"B-But how did this happen?" Hermione asked
"Why are we suddenly hearing about now?" Neville asked
"The whole school knows. It was in the papers so everybody else knows too. What I don't get, is how you all could sit through his funeral and not know that he'd died!" Lavender gave them all a puzzled look.
"W-Who else?" Neville asked timidly
"What do you mean who else?" Padma asked through tears
"Who else died besides Roger?" Neville asked again more boldly this time.
Everyone in the compartment gave him a curious expression. "Neville man, there were like 20 something casualties!" Seamus exclaimed. Ginny screamed and Hermione gasped, placing a delicate hand over her mouth, Ron's jaw just dropped to the floor and Neville's eyes got very round.
"Name them"
"Uh...lemme see. Well, Roger Davis--" Seamus was interrupted by another shriek and set of sobs from Cho. "Yeah, well him and Crabbe, Susan Bones, Justin-Finch-Fletchy, Natalie McDonald, Jake Sloper, Dennis Creevy and uhh...that's all I can remember."
"Dennis? As is Colin's little brother?" Ginny asked horrified
"Yea" Colin said
"Colin! I'm so sorry!" Ginny shrieked as she threw her arms around Colin
"It's okay. I mean he died fighting, I'm real proud of him for that." Colin said bravely attempting to smile but failing miserably.
"Help me out here Dean! I can't think of anymore!"
"There was Megan Jones, Mitchell Lock, Lisa Turpin, and Orla Quirke.
"Don't forget Malcom Baddock, Terence Higgs, and Marcus Flint from Slytherin!" Parvati chirped in
"Yea so that's fourteen."
"Sixteen" Hermione mumbled
"Huh?"
"Luna and Harry. That's sixteen"
"Yeah" Dean said awed "sixteen kids from Hogwarts. Sixteen of our friends...That bloody well sucks doesn't it?!"
(A/N: Whew! Long chapter! Anywoo hope you all enjoyed! More to come I promise! Luv ya Haystack
p.s. oops I almost forgot: Review!)