Chapter Four

No More Letters

Hermione sat in her living room and watched as Harry and Ginny played with Arianna.

"Anytime you need a babysitter I'll be free," Ginny laughed from her place beside her husband. Harry nodded in agreement as he kissed Arianna's forehead.

"I'll keep it in mind," Hermione said with a smile. She now had a large list of people she would be able to call if she ever needed someone to baby-sit. "Want some more tea?" Hermione pointed to Ginny's empty cup.

"I'll come with you," Ginny picked up her cup. "We'll leave Uncle Harry with Arianna. Maybe he'll decide he wants one of his own," she giggled, whispering into Hermione's ear.

In the kitchen Hermione poured the boiling water into Ginny's cup.

"How have you been holding up?" Ginny asked from her seat on the counter top.

"It's hard, but I think I'm getting used to it," Hermione answered truthfully.

"If you ever need anything you know you can come to me. I'm here whenever you need me," Ginny hopped from her perch and walked over to Hermione.

"I know," Hermione nodded.

-FLASHBACK-

It was a sunny October 24 as Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny walked through Hogsmeade. It seemed that everyone had found out that Ron had asked Hermione out, much to Hermione's displeasure. When she had entered the Great Hall the morning after Ron had asked her, she felt everyone's eyes on her. Ron, oblivious to it all waved Hermione over to where he was sitting. As she made her way toward him she heard whispers of, "Aww. How cute," and "Finally." A couple people even winked at her when she walked by. Ron seemed so happy Hermione didn't have the courage to tell him that she never agreed to be his girlfriend. She went along with everything. This was what she had wanted for so long.

Soon everything just sort of fell in place. She didn't love Ron anymore but she was happy. It had only been two weeks but Hermione was able to move on a bit in her life. She was able to focus on something different and Ron really loved her and made her happy.

They strolled though the village laughing and talking. Hermione made a stop in the bookstore and was surprised that Ron didn't complain. When she and Ron immerged from the shop she realized Harry and Ginny and disappeared. Ron didn't say anything about it so neither did she.

Now it was just the two of them. Hermione felt a tension between them as they walked in silence.

"Would you mind just heading for to the joke shop? If you don't want to that's fine…" Ron's voice trailed off.

"Sure. I don't mind at all," Hermione said absent mindedly. She didn't think about what joke shop Ron meant.

Weasley's Wizard Wheezes lay near the edge of Hogsmeade. Fred and George had bought a vacant building and set up shop. Zonko's still resided in Hogsmeade and still drew in some customers but all the fame belonged to the Weasley's. Everyone loved their store.

Hermione realized too late which joke shop Ron was headed too. How could she have been so stupid? Of course he would want to come here. Ron smiled at her as they walked down the street. Hermione continued to dread what she knew was going to come as she and Ron entered the store.

It was packed with Hogwarts students and Hermione was almost hopeful they wouldn't even run into George. Wrong. She was walking down one of the aisles when she bumped into someone. She looked up and sucked in her breath. George's sparkling green eyes looked back at her.

"Hermione," he beamed. "I should have expected to see you here. How have you been?"

"I'm doing good George and you?" she answered politely. All the feelings she had pushed aside came rushing back. He was the same George. His green eyes, the way his hair fell into his eyes, his lopsided grin and the way he still cared about how she was doing.

"Busy, as you can see," he smiled, gesturing toward the crowd. "You know I'm so glad you've come. I've been waiting to see you since September," he turned a bit red. "I've been meaning to talk to you. I wanted to tell you something, you know, not something I would say in my letters," he turned even redder.

Before Hermione got a chance to open her mouth Ron came up beside her. "George, why are you so red?" he questioned his brother.

"Um...me red? No, you must be mistaken my dear Ronniekins," George quickly answered.

Ron eyed his brother suspiciously. "Sure," he said turning to Hermione. "You ready to go? I got my stuff," he said holding up a bag.

"Harry and Ginny not with you?" George asked.

Ron shook his head. "Nope it's just me and Hermione," he winked at his brother and took Hermione's hand in his. Hermione cringed. She looked up at George. All the colour from his face had drained.

"Ah, right. Congratualtions you two. Yes, well, I better be off. Lot's of customers you know," George quickly rushed down the aisle.

Ron and Hermione exited the shop and made their way out to the street. "George was acting really odd. Wonder what that was all about," Ron still held Hermione's hand in his.

Hermione didn't say anything. She gently pulled her hand from Ron's.

For the next month Hermione didn't receive anymore letters from George.

Author's Note- I really want to thank everyone who has reviewed. I got so many more than I expected and it really means a lot to me. Thank you! :)