Chapter 4: Hogsmeade

My Best Friends Sister

Chapter 4

The weeks had dragged on for Hermione. She got up, ate meals, went to class, did her homework, got good grades, got what sleep she could and life went on as usual. Unfortunately brooding over Ginny became a part of that schedule. Hermione knew it was pointless to still be pining over her but she still couldn't shake her from her thoughts. She constantly asked herself why she put herself in such agony but deep down she knew the answer. She still had some false sense of hope though she didn't know why. She constantly wished she could shut off her emotions even if it were just for one day so she could stop feeling the misery in her heart.

Halloween was coming up soon. There was to be a Hogsmeade visit in the earlier part of the day before the feast. Hermione figured she might as well go to break the normal chain of events in her pathetic excuse for a life. She figured she'd buy herself a case of butter beer and maybe some fire whiskey to help subside the pain and hopefully drown out her sorrows.

Ginny was all happy and giddy because Dean was going to take her on a really fine date while in Hogsmeade. Hermione was glad that Ginny was happy, but at the same time she was annoyed that the 5th year wouldn't shut up about him. The bookworm had heard the redhead spout off the same "amazing" qualities that Dean supposedly possessed dozens of times. Hermione was okay with repetition if it had to do with books but not pejorative nonsense. It also didn't help the wrenching pain in Hermione's heart. She wished that Ginny could be talking about her, but alas 'twas not the case.

The 6th year lazily got dressed for Hogsmeade wearing her favorite worn pair of jeans and a red T-shirt with a black leather jacket. She decided to put on her comfortable pair of Dock Martins since she knew she would do a lot of pointless wandering. She gave herself a final glance in the mirror before she left. Her reflection startled her by saying, "your look should be sufficient for attracting romantic attention." "Thank you, if only Ginny thought so," she said to herself.

She took off in search of Harry and Ron to fetch them to go to Hogsmeade. She found Harry but he was going on a date with Luna to Hogsmeade. She found Ron and he had the same excuse with Lavender. 'Jeez what is this couple pair off weekend? I guess I'll go by myself and be the predictable little hermit.'

She browsed around through the shops buying a few things here and there, like quills, parchment, and tragic romance novels to keep her mind occupied. She eventually stopped into the three broomsticks to get herself a very strong tankard of butter beer. She was nearly done with her drink when she heard a commotion not too far away. The noise turned out to be Dean and Ginny having a very public and heated argument. Ginny had her hands thrown in the air with tears running down her face yelling at her boyfriend. Hermione tried not to listen, but that was impossible, she couldn't help but over hear what was going on.

"How could you Dean? How could you cheat on me with that slut Cho Chang and act like it was nothing?"

"Gin you're overreacting. She just kissed me. Why do you always have to make a big deal out of things?" said Dean defending himself.

"Well you sure as heck made no movements to back her off. You were letting her snog you to death. Had I not walked in on you two when I did you probably would have shagged right there. I trusted you with my heart and this is how you repay me? I can't believe I thought I was in love with you. I gave you everything because I thought you were the one but apparently I was wrong. We're through you bloody ponce!"

She stormed off leaving everyone shocked. Well this is certainly going to be spread around the whole school by dinner Hermione thought to herself. Dean better run and hide the best he can right now because I'm about to hex him for what he did to Ginny. Though no one deserves to be cheated on, a small part of her was glad that Ginny was no longer with Dean. It gave her hope that they could be together.

Hermione rushed off with her things to go and try to comfort Ginny in her time of need. She found her in the Gryffindor common room sitting in an arm chair sobbing. Her heart broke watching her sit there in pain. She came up to Ginny wrapping her arms around her to give her what comfort she could. Ginny clung to Hermione like she was all she had left. Hermione picked her up and put her on her lap rocking back and forth talking in a gentle soothing voice that made Ginny relax and finally able to sit up on her own.

"Do you want to talk about it?" whispered Hermione.

"I suppose so. Can we go to my dorm? People are going to be coming back any minute and I'd rather not see their looks of pity right now." Said Ginny in a ragged breath.

"No problem" Hermione replied in a soothing voice.

They walked together arm in arm to Ginny's dorm and sat down on the bed.

"So mind telling me all of what happened because I only got bits and pieces from the outburst in The Three Broomsticks." Hermione had really heard the whole thing but wanted Ginny to let it all out.

"Well I was looking for Dean and I looked all over for him in Hogsmeade and I found him and Cho behind The Hogs Head. They were making out and he was unbuttoning her shirt and she was unbuckling his belt. If I hadn't disturbed them they would have been shagging I'm sure of it" sobbed the redheaded witch.

"Oh Gin I'm so sorry" said the brown-haired witch. She wasn't sorry. Well she was sorry that Ginny was upset and that Dean was an idiot. But she was not sorry that Ginny was now single.

"You shouldn't be I was stupid for falling for him in the first place. I was so sure we were meant to be. I gave him my heart, love and my virginity. I feel like such a slut now. I'm disgusted with myself that I slept with him when he's been getting it from the biggest tramp in school" Ginny said bawling her eyes out.

"Gin you're not a slut. And slut shaming Cho isn't going to make you feel any better. Dean is the only one you've slept with. You wouldn't have given him all of that unless you believed you loved him. He's the one with character deficits not you. He was so busy cheating on you he didn't notice the amazing girl in front of him that's a beautiful, talented, and has a caring soul."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better. There's no way I'm beautiful. I'm too skinny; I have a small chest and flimsy hair. If I was beautiful Dean wouldn't have cheated on me" said Ginny pessimistically.

"Please stop beating yourself up" pleaded Hermione. "Dean is a slimy shallow scumbag that doesn't deserve your love. He was blind not to see it. Beauty is on the inside Gin and that's what counts. Be gentle with yourself. Love is a tricky business. Do I have to prove to you that you're amazing and that anyone would kill to have you?"

"Yes because apparently I can't see it" Ginny said dejectedly.

Hermione does the first thing that comes to mind and kisses Ginny chastely on the lips. Then said to her, "Gin you're beautiful because I know you are and I love you."