The Other Girl

Chapter 2: Ginny's Revelations

Author - PreciousLittleMe

Rating - G

Keywords – Ron/Hermione, Seventh Year

Category – Angst/Romance

Disclaimer – I don't own them, I just play with them.

Summary – After a confrontation with Ron, Hermione talks to Ginny who reveals some truths.

Author's Notes – Chapter 2 to 'Welcome Home'. Ron/Hermione fights are way too much fine to write!

Hermione woke up the next morning with a terrible feeling in her stomach. It took her a moment to realise what caused it, but it quickly came rushing back. She didn't want to get up, but knew she must. She dragged her body out of bed and got changed. After running a comb through her hair she went down to breakfast.

"Hi Hermione!" Carla said, waving her over from the Gryffindor. Hermione plastered a smile on her face and walked over.

"It looks like we're the early birds today! The boys aren't even up yet." Carla continued.

"Yeah…"

"Not a morning person, huh?"

"Not today."

"Good thing I am them."

In any other circumstances Hermione would have called her friendly, but now she just found her cheerfulness annoying. She decided to talk to her though. There were too many things she needed to know.

"So you're from Durmstrang."

"Yep. I was going to come to Hogwarts but then my family moved."

"How do you like it here?"

"I love it. The people here are so nice to me. Especially Ron, I'm so glad I met him."

Hermione fought off the urge to wring her neck.

"How did you guys end up going out? Ron hasn't really told me."

Carla laughed, which grated Hermione's nerves. "He doesn't like talking about it much. I was assigned to Gryffindor. We met because we went to a lot of the same classes. I thought he was absolutely gorgeous. He looked a bit shy, so I knew I would have to make the first move, so I asked him out. Simple really."

The rest of the meal passed with small talk only and about what it was like to be an exchange student. Hermione left before Carla. She met Harry and Ron in the common room as they were only just coming down to breakfast.

"Why didn't you tell me about her?"

"Who?"

"Carla!"

Ron suddenly found an immense interest in his shoes

"Well?"

"I don't know."

"Didn't you trust me? I thought I was meant to be your friend."

"You are! But I was…I don't know."

"There must have been a reason for it Ron!"

"I don't have to tell you every little thing that happens!"

"You call this a little thing? Maybe you should tell Carla that, because I think she's ready to plan your wedding."

"Don't talk about her like that?"

"Why not? It's not like I know anything about her!"

Ron fell silent. At that moment Carla appeared.

"There you are...What's going on?" she said.

"Nothing," Harry said, "We're just catching up."

"Yeah. I better go though, I promised to write to Viktor. Do you know him Carla? He goes to your school"

Hermione said Viktor's name deliberately, wondering if his name would still bring up fury in Ron. He looked angry but didn't say anything.

"Viktor Krum?"

"Yeah."

"You know him?"

"Yeah. We met in fourth year and write to each all the time."

Carla looked in shock. "I've always wanted to talk to him, but never have. He keeps to himself."

"He feels like everyone just wants to be his friend because he's famous."

"You're so lucky! I always wanted to go out with him."

Ron looked furious.

"Well I better go. I haven't got long to write it."

"We've got to go to class." Ron said curtly. "C'mon Carly"

Back in her room Hermione could release her anger, as she was alone.

"Carly" she said disgusted. "And he was always the one making fun of Viktor by calling him Vicky!"

Hermione hit her pillow hard. She hated him. She hated her. She hated herself for allowing them to make her feel like this.

"Hermione?" Ginny said as she appeared in the doorway.

"Ginny? Aren't you supposed have classes?"

Ginny shook her head. "I have spares. I heard you and Ron fighting and thought I'd find out what was going on."

"I assume you knew all about Carla too."

"Yeah. I assume you didn't."

"He didn't even tell me about her!"

"Well he is Ron."

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"After all that's happened with you two, it's no wonder he didn't want to tell you."

"What's happened with us? Have I missed something?"

"You know what I mean. All the tension between you, the awkwardness, the fights. Do you think we're stupid?"

Hermione gave her a confused look. Ginny rolled her eyes.

"You're as bad as each other, I swear."

"Will you just tell me what you're talking about?"

"You fancy Ron, though God knows why, and Ron fancies you."

"Don't be stupid, he can't fancy me, he's going out with her."

"Just listen to me okay. I'm his sister, and friends with both his best friends, I know what I'm talking about when I say it."

"But how can he fancy me when he's going out with her?"

"He's too shy for his own good, that's how. He could never admit he fancied you and was beginning to get teased about not having a girlfriend or even having anyone who likes him. Everyone here knows he fancies you and so never asked him out even if they wanted to. When Carla came she was a perfect opportunity to try and forget about you, especially as she was the one who asked him out."

"Everyone knows? Why didn't I then?"

"Because as smart as you are you are both as dense as each other when it comes to each others feelings."

"Do you think that him going out with her was successful? Did it make him forget about me…assuming this whole thing is true of course."

"Of course it didn't. Even Carla realised how much he talked about you."

Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose.

"This is just making me more confused."

"It's simple."

"Maybe for you, but the fact remains that Ron still fancies you and you still haven't denied it."

"I don't fancy him." Hermione said, hoping it sounded like the truth.

"Really?" Ginny raised her eyebrows.

"You're his sister, what do you want me to say?"

"That you want to snog him and you need my help to convince him that you do fancy him!"

Hermione sighed. "Okay, I'll admit I fancy him, but I don't want to be the other girl. He still has a girlfriend and I'm not going to do anything while she still is."

"He doesn't love her you know. He's even said so himself. He likes her as a friend, nothing more and as much as she denies it you can tell she doesn't like him as much as you do. She just thinks he's good looking and would leave in an instant if someone better came along."

Hermione didn't know what to say. After a moment she spoke. "What am I supposed to do then? Profess my undying love for him?"

"Yes!"

"You can't be serious. I was being sarcastic!"

"I know, but it's still the truth."

"Let me think about it, okay?"

"Okay."

Ginny got up to leave. "Let me know as soon as you figure anything out, okay?"

"Okay."

Ginny left, leaving Hermione to think about what she had just been told.