(A/N: This hasn't been altered, but a few details added and a few things given more information.)

Chapter 2: Broken Connection

A week had passed since Ginny had started ignoring Hermione. Everyday Hermione would attempt to talk to Ginny in her mind, and everyday she failed. It seemed Ginny had put up some sort of block. So, if Hermione couldn't contact her this way, she would send her an owl.

Gin,

I'm worried. Talk to me. Is it stress from being in this rut between school and a job? Family problems? Whatever it is, you know I'm here to talk to forever.

Write Back

Love

H.

x

When Ginny received this letter, she melted into tears. Sitting alone in her bedroom, listening to all the early morning hustle and bustle downstairs, she hugged her pillow tightly.

Why? Why my best friend? Should I tell her? I mean, if I do, everything would change. I love her. We hardly see each other anymore so even if she did feel the same way - no, that wont happen. Hermione's not like this. Grr.

Throwing her pillow aside, Ginny got up from her bed and walked to Ron's room.

"Ron, can I borrow some parchment? I want to write Hermione a letter." she asked not looking her youngest elder brother in the face.

He, in turn, did not look at her. Too immersed, it seemed, in Quidditch Weekly. "In the drawer."

Quickly, Ginny walked to his drawer and removed a sheet of stained yellow parchment and a quill. "Thanks Ron." she mumbled before closing his door. Outside his room she stood, hesitant for a second. She needed to talk, but to Ron? No. No, not Ron.

Back in her own bedroom, Ginny sat at her desk for 10 minutes planning on what she would say. It all seemed too cheesy, or wrong. Finally, she decided. She wouldn't write a letter. She'd open her mind and face Hermione like a woman. None of this cowardly letter sending, having to wait a day, maybe two for a reply. She'd talk with Hermione and sort this out.

'Hermione, umm, if you're not busy, I-I can talk.' She was more nervous than expected, but it was understandable, considering she was just about to spill her heart to this girl.

She waited. No voices in her head except her own, milling around with worry.

A giggle. Ginny couldn't help but smile slightly at the sound. Hermione's giggles always gave her a warm feeling inside.

'Gin, Gin, sorry, now's not the, er, greatest of times. Is it important?' Hermione finally replied, sounding a little out of breath.

'Oh, no, no Hermione, it's not important.' Ginny said, mentally shaking her head, forcing another smile and her words to sound convincing. 'Why? What are you doing?'

'I'm just, I just have a guest over while my flatmates are out. I thought maybe Harry could do with some... cheering up' she added mischeivously. Hermione had told Ginny about her feelings for Harry, well, Ginny had read Hermione's thoughts before they had learned to block, and now... Now, obviously wasn't a good time.

A tear ran down Ginny's cheek. She could tell that Hermione was a little tipsy, after all, it was a Saturday night and seeing as Hermione was in a muggle college, she was obviously different. Obviously so different that she had taken up drinking and ignoring friends.

'It's fine Hermione.' Ginny said sadly. 'H-have fun.' Hermione didn't even say goodbye. Just left.

How was I so stupid, of course she still likes Harry. He's the bloody boy-who-lived! Who wouldn't take advantage if they were one of his best friends? All those years, those stupid students, and even teachers, at Hogwarts had believed that I was in love with Harry. When really I had my eyes open I and saw Hermione: her hazel-chocolate brown eyes and the way her brow furrowed when she was thinking. I noticed everything in the last 5 and a half years: the way Hermione's chin wrinkled when she was eating; her nose wrinkled when she was laughing; how she flapped her long eyelashes when blinking, she was a fast blinker; I noticed all the little things that most ignorant people wouldn't have noticed even if they were locked in a cave with Hermione for 10 years. I dread to think that she will do anything with him tonight. I mean, Harry's great, but she was made for me, I'm sure of it.

Ginny stood up from the desk where she had been sitting and paced her room. Looking outside the window the sun shone brightly and there was no breeze.

I need to get out of here.

She walked down the zig-zag staircase past all her older brothers and parents bedrooms, and through the kitchen into the back garden which led to a large field and eventually a forest.

Ginny walked and walked. She was thinking. Generally it was a "Ginny" thing to do - walk away from the situation. Every step she took brought new thoughts, old memories, possibilities to the surface of her mind. The outskirts of the forest came into view and instead of entering them as she had done so many times before, she walked around, hoping to find something interesting.

Thiry minutes later she could see the Burrow over the top of the hill. She had walked in a full circle and found nothing of interest. Out in the back garden was her mother setting up the large table. It looked like Bill and Charlie were here. As she got closer, she realised there were many seats more than for the Weasley family. Before her suspicions got anywhere, Harry walked out from the back door carrying a large plate with a chicken on it. He carefully placed it on the table and returned inside.

Ginny stopped and leaned against a nearby tree. She watched the back garden for a while, seeing people enter and exit the house. Harry, her mother, Fred, Charlie, Harry again, and finally Hermione. Harry said something to Hermione who laughed rather flirtasciously, rubbing his upper arm. Ginny slumped to the ground tears welling up in her eyes.

DON'T let them fall. These people cannot bring you to tears once again. You're better than this.

Ginny had tried telling herself this everytime she was close to tears. Most of the time it was because she was thinking of Hermione. Only when she was talking to Hermione did she manage to keep them back, and other times, it was a great struggle, except when she was alone. It's strange how, when alone, people can stop crying quite easily, but when in others company, tears come easy, but it's hard to make them leave.

Breathe. Good. Now behave yourself and stop being a baby. Look eveyone in the eye and smile.

Standing up, she wiped her eyes, breathed in, and plastered on a great big smile. She ran down the remainder of the hill and announced her arrival as every youngest child come drama queen does.

Hermione's bushy mane appeared in the doorway. Thier eyes locked. They hand't seen each other in more than a year, never mind looked each other dead in the eye. Time stopped. Ginny's smile faltered for a second, butshe regained composire and contimued smiling.

The hustle and bustle began again as time re-started.

"Hermione, dear, would you mind moving from the doorway. Thank you." said Mrs. Weasley cheerfully.

Still looking into each others eyes, Ginny spoke.

"Hermione." she said curteously and nodded her head before breaking the gaze and seating herself at the now fully loaded table between Fred and her father so that Hermione could not sit beside her. Her eyes were cold and Hermione's were beautiful as ever, but they looked questioning and rather sad. She could see through Ginny's defense. Hermione stood for a second, before lowering her head and taking a seat.

The meal was rather long and tense. Ginny kept her gaze on her plate and when questioned about her well-being by Hermione, she shrugged and said she was ok, just tired. Occasionally something would hit Ginny's leg. She knew it was Hermione trying to attract her attention to ask what was really wrong. But, she ignored it and carried on with her meal.

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Two hours later the table was cleared and most people were still outside, drinking beverages and making small talk. So, Ginny took her chance and excused herself to her bedroom.

"Gin?" came Hermione's sweet voice from outside the door. No answer. So she placed her hand on the cold, brass doorhandle and opened the door slowly.

"I'm busy Hermione. Maybe later." snapped Ginny coldly. She wasn't really busy, she just wanted to spite Hermione.

"Busy doing what? Staring at the ceiling? Looks like it take a lot of concentration." she snapped back. This was unexpected from Hermione. "I know you're not busy. And I know what's wrong. You didn't block your thoughts as well as you thought." She added softly.

Ginny looked up and stared at Hermione. Right in the eyes as her own welled up.

(A/N: This has actually been changed quite a bit more than the original chapter. I might change the rest too. Hope this was enjoyed.)