Quote: Smile and the world smiles with you frown and the world smiles without you. (My own personal philosophy)
Dedication: To everyone who has read this story so far. O and DanielleGrint14/Rupertlover14 (Were still not even!)
Joke: erm… give me a brake! It's the last chapter!
(Sob) this is the (sob) last chapter.
In a minuet I'm going to have to start writing but let me just have this moment. Please?
Once again…
Procrastination is the key to success(Apart from having an idea for a book on the way to kings cross)
Last time on I Give Up –Harry's hand was still touching her face and his own was a mixture of shock and bewilderment. He lowered his hand to his side. Ginny followed it with her eyes. Harry looked like he was doing a lot of thinking, when really what he was about to say required very little thought.
"Is it true?" Ginny's eyes shot back to his face.
"Is what true?"
"Do you have feelings for me?"
"Harry of course I do."
"What." He hadn't thought he would get a straight answer from her.
"Your one of my best friends of course I have feelings for you." He ignored her dodge.
"Ginny I want. No. I need an answer."
"Harry I – "
And now this week's addition of I Give Up –
Hermione sat in a chair by the fire. A book was perched in her lap but her eyes where not moving. She saw the tear splash onto the words but didn't bother to wipe it away. She instead forced herself to marvel at how it magnified the text underneath. But as it slowly seeped into the page she was forced once again to hear the spiteful little voice in her head.
All alone. You're all alone. All those friends are gone, and all you're left with is Franklin. And who knows how long he'll stick around? No, no! You're wrong I have friends… I have Parvati and Lav… Well I have Franklin he loves me he told me so. Right sure.
It wasn't her fault. Ron had just been sour about the quidditch game! Franklin had only done what he thought had to be done. Maybe it had been a little uncalled for but he had been desperate. He had been losing by one hundred points. What would Harry have done? What would she have done? Not that. They would never purposely try and unseat a player just to win a game. That sounded like something Malfoy would do. No. Franklin wasn't like Malfoy. He just wanted to win more than Harry. But that wasn't true either. She'd never known someone who wanted to win more than Harry. Maybe Franklin was just more ambitious. By any means necessary. Yeah. That's how the nazi's put it. She mentally shook herself.But why was she questioning Franklin? It was Ron who was in the wrong.
But how could she have been so wrong about him? She'd known him for what? Nearly six years. And she'd never thought he'd hit someone over a quidditch tactic. First impressions. Herfirst impression of Ron? He was rude and untidy and… common.
She slapped her hand over her mouth as if she'd said it aloud. Several people looked at her. Lowering her head to her book again she resumed her thought.
Was that really how she saw Ron? You said it. No, she'd got to know him and she'd realised he was more than that; he was so much more than that. Then why? Why would he punch Franklin for such a stupid reason? It made no sense. He made no sense. She thought back to Yule ball. With Victor he'd been like that as well. He had definitely been jealous then. And for a moment she'd hoped… But no it had all been about Ron. He wasn't jealous because Victor was getting something he wanted. No his jealousy was more trivial than that. It was more the jealousy a little boy gets when you take away a forgotten toy. That's how he saw her – a plaything. It was selfish. He was selfish! That's what he was! That was why he was still hadn't come back and was letting her worry.
She wiped away her tears and looked out the window. She saw someone whoosh past on his broom. She smiled and decided she'd go and see Franklin.
LINEHarry ran through the thick branches. His eyes where searching for a sign of red. Where was she? Why had she run? Questions flittered in his mind. She had just stood there, half way through a sentence and then… she'd run straight into the forest. He had been temporarily paralysed by this dramatic change of events but had soon followed her. But now as he searched for her he was becoming desperate.
"Ginny?" he called. Silence. "Ginny?" he called again more urgently. And then he heard it the sound of weeping it was to the left of where he had been going. Then there was a sound of stumbling. Before hearing a harsh squeal. He ran towards it, finding a tree with a mangle of red hair in it, attached to that hair was… Ginny Weasley. She was fighting fiercely and getting herself even more tangled.
"Ginny?" Harry approached her with as her arms where flailing about in all directions. At the sound of his voice she stopped struggling though she didn't look up.
"Go away, Harry."
"No"
"Go Away."
"No."
"Please?" she whispered.
"Not until you tell me."
"Fine stay there. But I'm getting out of here." She began to struggle again. Harry watched her. She looked up at him finally.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Help me!" she said exasperatedly.
"Not until you tell."
"Argh! Harry this isn't some kind of game! These are my feelings."
"I know."
"No Harry I don't think you do!" Harry changed his tactic.
"Just tell me." He was pleading with her now.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Haven't you already worked it out?" She lowered her face.
He remained silent. He knew but he didn't understand. He didn't understand anything. How he'd suddenly got what he'd wanted and felt only empty.
"You cant…" He said to Ginny she was still facing the ground.
"But I do."
"But what about Voldermort?" Looking up at him, a reluctant smile crossed her lips.
"I don't really feel the same way about him. He's sexy and all but I don't think he's looking for love."
"You know what I mean Ginny."
"Yes I do, but I have to ask you. When are you going to start living Harry? And stop worrying about who you might hurt in the process? I wish you'd just be a little selfish."
"Ginny I…"
"shh you don't have to say anything I understand."
"You do."
"I've known how you feel for a while I was just so scared."
"But…"
"Harry don't say anything just do one for me."
"What?" he said softly.
"UNTANGLE ME!"
Line.
Ron continued to walk down a narrow path, broomstick in hand. He'd been walking for about an hour and wasn't thinking about turning back anytime soon. He was just so confused. What was he going to do? He couldn't leave his life like it was at the moment. He was just so lost. Wouldn't he risk driving Hermione even further away by telling the truth? No he doubted they could ever be any further apart as they where now. He could hear something – a buzzing – like a broom. But that made no sense being so far from the quidditch pitch. It was probably just an animal; he was in the forbidden forest after all. Not even bothering to look behind him and check he continued. If he were attacked he wouldn't care. It would just give people another opportunity to think he was crazy and wanted to hurt himself. But everyone had been quick to jump to that conclusion. That he self harmed. But nobody wanted to help. Well at least Lavender had stopped bugging him. Now fully understanding how Harry had felt last year he quickened his pace as though trying to run away. Walking through a thicker set of forest he noticed something…
The Buzzing had stopped. And he faintly wondered if it (whatever it was) had gone. Looking around at his surroundings; he realised he had walked into a clearing, he sat down on a fallen tree, wondering mildly whether Grawp had done it.
"How you doing Weasley?" asked a cocky voice from the path he had just come off.
Ron looked around though it wasn't necessary, he knew that voice, he looked his tormentor straight in the eye.
"I was until I ran into you." He stayed seated though his hand grazed the pocket in which his wand was concealed. Franklin moved towards him almost casually. But Ron was quick to notice his wand in his left hand. (Btw – nothing against lefties)
"What? Afraid to fight me without your wand?"
"No. I could take you muggle or wizard way."
"Really?"
"Yes." There was a definite hint of tartness in his voice.
"Then prove it." It worked Franklin pocketed it.
"It wasn't fare anyway, I know way more spells than you."
"You can believe that if you want, but I'd like to remind you that my best friend has faced Voldermort and I've never exactly stayed at home."
"Weasley are we going to do this or what?"
"If you're up for it than so am I."
"Good answer."
"Enough talk." Said Ron, no emotion in his voice. "It's time to show you that, without five of your friends behind you, you couldn't touch me." (Wahoo go Ron! go Ron!) Franklin went red in the cheeks. His fists clenched, he made for Ron. He may have had three inches on Ron. Though if you had been witnessing the fight you would have thought that it was Ron who had the height advantage by the sheer way he surveyed Franklin - like a god looking upon a mortal. As Franklin drew back his fist Ron smiled and ducked letting Franklin's knuckles collide with a nearby tree.
"Listen Weasley," said Franklin rubbing his fists aggressively. "Are you going to dance about or are you going to fight?" Ron shrugged. He squared his shoulders and moved towards Franklin. He looked him straight in the eye one more time before bringing his fist into Franklin's torso…
LINE
She had definitely seen his broom go into the forest, she had been following the noise, but then it had stopped. Following a path she recognised as the path she, Harry, and Umbridge, had taken the night of Sirius' death she trudged on. Smiling as she walked reflected about how nice it was to get out of the castle and did not much care if she didn't find Franklin now. But she could hear voices and the faint movements of a scuffle ahead so she made towards those not realising what she'd find. She continued to move cautiously towards the source of the noise. She reached a thick bush that seemed to be hiding the commotion; carefully rearranged the branches so not to give away her position and peered through and was so surprised with what she saw she clamped her hand other her mouth. There in a small clearing of trees was Harry and Ginny. Ginny's hair was full of twigs and dirt and they looked very busy. She replaced the leaves and turned around quickly her face bright red. She made to follow her path back out of the forest when she again heard noise from another direction this seemed more like thrashing than anything else so she decided very quickly that she'd avoid it. But as she moved in the opposite direction she heard a human voice that sounded very familiar. It was undeniably Franklin and he was… pleading? She heard another muffled voice, which sounded uncomfortable. Ditching all pretence in leaving the forest she ran towards the voices. There was yet more scuffling; she skidded into the clearing, quite a site awaiting her.
Line
Ron was panting slightly, looking down upon a figure. The person was face down in the mud. Hermione seemed unable to move as she watched her boyfriend moan and turn over, his nose was bleeding and he had a cut above his eyebrow. Neither seemed to have noticed her.
"Go on Weasley. Finish me off."
"What?"
"Here I am on the ground just where you want me. So get me back for it all. Take your anger out on me once again."
"I never kick a man when he's down."
"What is with you Gryffindor's? I've never met people so…"
"So what?" said Hermione looking him up and down noting a rip in his robes.
"What are you doing here Hermione?" Ron asked her gruffly all his attention now fixated on her.
"What am I doing? What are you doing Ron?"
"Listen I have every right to defend myself…"
"Defend yourself from what exactly."
"Listen Hermione. You need to hear this you don't have to believe me but you have to hear me out." Pleading in his voice. There was a brief pause where she once again surveyed Franklin.
"Hermione I wouldn't even bother listening to him he's crazy look what he's done to me." As these words left Franklin's lips Ron's head fell. He shook his head half-heartedly and went to leave.
"Fine Ron." She took her eyes from Franklin's and looked at Ron again. "I'll hear you out."
"Thank you." He replied lifting his arm to put on her arm. She stared at his hand scornfully and he withdrew while taking a few steps back.
"Okay." He started looking around avoiding Hermione's eyes. This was it. Now or never. "I haven't been honest with you. After Lavender and me saw you two in Hogsmeade and me Franklin had that argument. Well we've had a few more than that. You may not believe this but… I haven't been inflicting those injuries on myself. It was Franklin and his friends." He looked back at Hermione and saw her looking directly at him searching him. She looked at Franklin who was laughing faintly and said
"Nice story Weasley." Ron ignored him and with more confidence this time looked into Hermione's eyes. "And that's how I've been getting these injuries I'd never have done this to myself. The night I hit Franklin I only did that because he was… I caught him cheating on you." She blinked at him. He pressed on. "You see I never meant to say those things to you."
"But why?" Now or never.
"Because I was jealous."
"Jealous of what?" Hermione asked quietly. Franklin was gaping at them, he seemed to have been completely forgotten.
"I was jealous because you're the only person I'll ever love Hermione and it will never be any different." She gasped and continued to stare. Meanwhile Franklin was getting up.
"Yes well Weasley you're a little to late. Hermione is with me and no matter how many lies you pull from your brain nothing will change that." Hermione's gaze shot to Franklin.
"Is it true?" she asked.
"Is what tru– surely you don't believe him." He jabbed his finger at Ron.
"I didn't ask you that. I asked you whether it's true."
"Well… erm… Of course not."
"Thank you Franklin you've just told me all I needed to hear."
"Fine." Said Ron angrily. "You believe Franklin. Even though he" Ron jabbed his thumb at Franklin in much the same way as he had to him. "Treats you like a dog. Fine believe him even though you've known me for five years. So who do you believe Hermione me or him."
"There's only one answer to that." She waltzed over to Franklin touched the cut on his forehead and asked, "Are you okay?"
"I think so." He answered softly before shooting a cocky grin at Ron. Hermione lowered her shoulders putting both hands around his neck.
"To bad." Her grip hardened and she brought her knee into Franklins shin. Crippled, he fell to his knees howling. He crawled backwards out of Hermione's range. She withdrew her wand and pointed directly at Franklin's throat. "You have ten seconds to get out of my life." Franklin raised an eyebrow.
"You can't hurt me."
"Do you want a bet? Ten… nine…eight..." They watched as Franklin scrambled to his feet.
"I'll get him." He pointed to Ron.
"Franklin Ron just beat you to the ground." She answered dryly "…seven…six…five…"
"I never liked you anyway." He said his eyes still on her wand. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"…Four…three…two…" Her grip tightened on her wand and sparks flew out. Franklin yelped and ran off. As Franklin went a spell shot after him and hit him in the square of the back. He squealed and hopped about three foot into the air. Hermione looked over her shoulder at Ron who had his wand out and was pointing it over his shoulder. He shrugged at her.
"One?" he offered her.
They laughed together for a while before an uncomfortable silence fell over them. Ron was staring at her and she was avoiding his eyes.
"Oh Ron I'm so sorry." She said suddenly.
"Yeah well…"
"Please forgive me Ron."
"I can't Hermione."
"Why not."
"I can't tell you."
"Why?"
"I just can't. I'd rather leave things like they are now."
"How can you say that?" she was genuinely shocked.
"Because…" it was evident he had no intension in finishing his sentence.
"Fine. Don't. I Give Up!" she flung her arms in the air and made to storm off.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes."
"I cant forgive you because… if I forgive you. We'll go back to the way we where."
"Why is that so bad?"
"Because I can't live a lie anymore Hermione. I love you and I can't hide that any longer. And I couldn't be your friend knowing that's all it could ever be."
"Oh I see."
"Then you understand?" he said sadly.
"Yes I understand."
She walked up to him put her hands under his chin and raised his face to her. She smiled sweetly and kissed him…
LINE
"Listen Harry. I'm sure your wrong we didn't go this way."
"We didn't?"
"No it was more north?"
"You're sure?" he asked sceptically
"No."
"Can you see that light? That must be a clearing."
There was the sound of running and Ginny and Harry burst through a clump of bushes. They found hand in hand Ron and Hermione sitting on a bench.
"Okay, when did we go through the wormhole?" said Ginny wiping her eyes.
"I don't know but we're definitely in a parallel universe."
"Ha ha, very funny you two, but you can stop now." Hermione said sarcastically.
"So then you two are really…"
"Yes. And you…" said Ron eyeing there interlocked fingers.
"Yes." Ginny answered almost defiantly.
"Great."
"So are you going to fill us in on what happened?" Smiled Harry who looked elated for the first time in a very long time.
"No are you?" Ron smiled back.
"Never."
They all beamed at each other. No matter what they had been through no matter what happened to them. They knew from that day on they would give up again.
(Gah that was soppy!) And so you have it! I Give Up is finished! And I for one am relieved because it means I can concentrate on my next story which is a lot more light hearted it's a humour/romance. Look out for it! It will be called! 15 easy steps? And will be a Ginny/Harry as they are the couple I wanted to focus on as an author. But I will still be doing a few more Ron/Hermione's (and they will be a little more in character) if you want some info on my next stories it will be posted in my profile. My last thing to say is thank you. Thank you to all the people who have reviewed (You can still review) But thank you, you really helped me write this story. So I'm leaving this story here. (Sob)
XxX
Perkey Terkey
P.S – I know I wrote the Harry/Ginny part but I have no self control (look at my profile if you don't believe me) but it made a nice brake between the Hermione/Ron stuff. (Yes I know that isn't a very good reason)
PPS. – I put a reference to self harming in because I hadn't realised my fic portrayed it. I don't really understand it so I may have been a little insensitive. Sorry.
PPPS – (Yes I'm still here even if your not) Ron GOT Franklin! I had to do it. O if you where interested this is what happens after they get out of the forbidden forest… Franklin gets sacked as the Head Boy gets taken of the Quidditch team and… joins You-Know-who and gets killed by Harry. Ron and Hermione get married and have twins who are called Oliver and George exactly like the Phelps twins they also have a son who is called Rupert and (you guessed it) looks exactly like Rupert Grint (Now we're even Rupertlover14)