Alright everybody, here's Chapter Five of my soaring epic. Check bottom for notes. Oh yeah, first, thanks, High Serpent King, for BOTH your reviews which were extremely helpful. On with my story...
Chapter Five - At Long Last
Ginny looked again at Ron, wondering why he was looking so unhappy. Hermione was breaking up with Viktor right now - or at least was supposed to be. Why isn't he happy?
"Ron?" Ron looked up from the dirt - where he had been staring for about five minutes - and turned towards Ginny.
"Yeah?"
"What's wrong?"
He seems to be taken aback, she thought to herself. A puzzled expression replaced his frown as he thought about Ginny's question.
"What do you mean, Gin?"
Ginny was confused until she finally figured it out - he didn't know what Hermione was doing. Ginny had a furious battle with herself - would Hermione want Ginny to tell him? Finally, she decided that he deserved to know - the whole thing was about him, after all.
"Ginny?" Ginny snapped out of her internal battle to answer Ron, suddenly realizing that he had been waiting for her answer for about two minutes.
"Hermione's breaking up with Krum."
Ron suddenly jumped up from the dirt with surprise.
"WHAT?"
Ginny was even more confused than before. Ron kept surprising her, which up till now had been an extremely rare occurence. Where she had expected to see elated joy, she instead saw an unreadable expression. It wasn't that he was impassive - there were so many emotions on his face that it was impossible to tell what he felt. The only definite thing Ginny could make out was the he was very confused.
But then again, it wasn't exactly something that everyone could tell was coming. Krum's constant gifts and their almost daily correspondance with letters feet long didn't point to Hermione breaking up with him, despite her not very well hidden affections for Ron. Still though, Krum was a guy that most girls would only dream of catching, and Ron was a guy that girls didn't even dream of catching. Ron was well aware of this too, and it didn't even exactly do wonders for his self-esteem either.
"GINNY!" Ginny cursed to herself. She had gone off again into dreamland and totally ignored that someone was right there with her, and, in fact, talking to her. I've really gotta stop that.
"She's breaking up with him? Why?"
Ginny shrugged.
"Likes another guy."
"Really? Who?"
Well, that's one thing I'll leave for Hermione to tell, Ginny decided.
"You'll see - she's gonna tell him today."
"Really? C'mon Gin, you can -" Ron's face suddenly fell as if crushed - which he was, in fact. Ginny was totally bewildered once again. Can't he be happy for once? Who else would she like, especially if he's the only guy here. Ginny suddenly realized that Harry was coming here today, and what Ron was thinking. It wasn't a surprise that he thought that, either - the half of Hogwarts who didn't believe that Ron and Hermione would go out sometime believed it would be Hermione and Harry. The Rita Skeeter articles didn't help, either, Ginny thought bitterly. They're all just operating on the assumption that the hero gets the girl. But they were wrong in this case. Ginny desperately tried to salvage the mess - after all, she had caused it, however inadvertently.
"Oh Ron, it's not who you think - I promise." Ginny said this and wondered if she could make it any clearer without holding a big sign with bright colorful letters, but Ron looked no better upon hearing this. His tone took on a bitter expression as he talked to Ginny.
"As long as it's not me, it doesn't matter." Ginny was again struck dumb by Ron. Simultaneously by the fact that Ron had been so open with his feelings, and also because he hadn't figured out that it was him. An edge started to grow in her voice.
"How do you know it isn't you?" Ron then proceeded with an argument that Ginny had to admit was very well thought out and fairly persuasive.
"Why wouldn't she have told me? The only reason I haven't told her is because she's got - or had - a boyfriend, but I've NEVER even been on a date with anyone yet, much less dated someone, and it's not exactly a secret that I like her. How could she even think I would reject her? She wouldn't - so she doesn't like me."
Ginny couldn't exactly say anything - after all, she knew Hermione liked him, but basically the only proof she had was that Hermione had told her - and so she simply walked away. Before she left, though, she made the resolution that if Hermione didn't tell Ron today, then she would. It was simply getting ridiculous. However, she hoped it wouldn't come to that - these things are better told in person, and there was no guarantee that Ron would believe it was true unless Hermione told him herself.
She suddenly heard a loud CRACK and put together it must have been Krum. She glanced inside and saw a shaken but clearly relieved Hermione sit down. Ginny rushed in to talk.
Hermione sat down, thankful that Viktor wasn't particularly violent - although he had looked like he might've hurt Ron for a minute there. She looked once again at the garden, and was puzzled to see a frowning Ron deep in thought, pacing in it. He was clearly muttering to himself, and Hermione regretted that it was impossible to hear him.
Suddenly, Ginny burst in with a huge grin on her face.
"So you did it? About time! How'd he take it?"
Hermione gave Ginny a shaky smile.
"He seemed angry, but he didn't do anything to Ron?"
"How'd he know it was Ron?"
"He figured it out for himself."
Ginny answered with a soft "oh" and sat down on a couch. It was Hermione's turn to interrogate.
"Why's Ron looking so pensive over there?"
Ginny glanced out the window at Ron, and, to Hermione's total bewilderment, smiled.
"Well, that's an improvement. Oh yeah, Hermione, I've decided that if you don't tell him by dinner, I will, so I would get a move on. Especially since when - that is, uh, if - I tell him I'll tell him at the dinner table, where EVERYONE will be eating -"
Hermione, horrified, seemed to be incapable of speech.
"- and everyone will know that you're such a wimp I have to tell things for you. So you've got about... five hours. But, as they say, the sooner the better, and you should at least go tell him that you broke up with Krum now."
Hermione struggled futilely against Ginny's grip as Ginny steered her against the door. She was not sure if a conversation with Ron was exactly in her best interests right now, but Ginny didn't seem to be giving her a choice. Ginny ignored Hermione, who had now switched to verbal protests, and forcefully pushed her out the door, leaving Hermione and Ron with a smirk and a last dig - "you lovebirds have fun" - which only Hermione could hear. Hermione looked at Ron - looked UP at Ron, that is - and greeted him.
"Hey Ron."
"Yeah, hey Hermione." Hermione was surprised at the weariness in Ron's tone, and suddenly didn't blame Ginny so much for threating Hermione to tell him.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing, just tired..." Hermione nodded in agreement and decided that Ginny was right for once - the sooner, the better.
"I broke up with Viktor."
"Really? That's good, but why? He seemed to be really nice..."
"Oh, he was, I just like another guy." Ron glanced up and Hermione saw that he seemed to be having some sort of inner battle. He realized that he should probably respond, though.
"I'm sure he'll be very happy..." Hermione detected a definite note of bitterness in his voice. He thinks that it's someone else, she thought. Hermione was a little bit consoled by the fact that he definitely seemed to like her, though. Usually she would have been elated, but she was too filled with butterflies about what she was going to do...
Harry landed expertly in front of the Burrow as his bewitched trunk slowly rose like a feather and then floated down to the ground. Lupin landed down next to Harry along with Mr. Weasley. Mad-Eye simply said his goodbyes and said that he had to go and flew off. Harry was overjoyed to learn that although Mad-Eye was going, Lupin would be staying until dinner at least. Harry suddenly heard two greetings of "Harry!" at the same time and turned around to meet none other than Fred and George, whom he warmly greeted with handshakes.
"Fred, George, how's it going? How's the joke shop?"
"Oh just fantastic Harry, as a matter of fact we wanted to speak to you about it."
"You see, business is booming in Diagon Alley and although we've decided that we won't repay you for your generous gift..."
"Mainly because you wouldn't take it, you stupid prat..."
"We have decided to take it upon us that if you ever needed some money..."
"Be sure to owl us..."
"Although we're sure you won't need it, what with Lupin taking care of you, splendid chap he is, and speak of the devil! Professor Lupin!"
Fred and George nodded to Harry and then went off to talk to Lupin (who insisted that they call him "Remus") and their father, who had noticed their arrival. Harry turned back towards the Burrow only to see Ginny Weasley grinning up at him.
"Hey Harry, how's it going?"
"Hey Ginny, pretty well now, you look good to me? Oh yeah, how's Dean?"
"Oh excellent, we're both here I've got to tell you about Ron and Hermione."
Ginny beckoned so that they could talk without yelling over Fred, George, Mr. Weasley and Lupin. Harry raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. Ginny was clearly very eager about something.
"So?"
"Hermione broke up with Krum and told Ron about her feelings, and he told her he liked her back, so now they're going out!"
Harry grinned to himself - I knew it, he thought.
"Good - now I won't be in the middle of their bickering anymore."
Ginny smiled at him and turned towards the Burrow.
"Well, suppose we should tell them and Mum that you're here..."
Harry nodded and followed Ginny in.
"HARRY! Oh so nice to see you Harry, please sit down...sandwich? No? Sausages? Bacon? Eggs? Any food at all? No? Alright, well I'll just get your stuff upstairs."
Harry threw Ginny a glare, who was shaking with laughter at Mrs. Weasley's mothering antics, and then turned back to Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh no thanks Mrs. Weasley, I can take it..."
"Nonsense dear..." Mrs. Weasley waved her wand at the trunk and it promptly started floating upstairs to Ron's room. She turned back to Harry and appeared to be on the verge of mothering him again until she noticed the twins and Mr. Weasley walk in and enveloped them in a hug. Harry smiled to himself - the Weasleys were always such a happy family. Harry felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see Ginny again, who said that he better go to find Ron and Hermione while he had the chance.
"You go ahead Harry, I'll hold off Mum as long as I can..."
Harry nodded his thanks to Ginny and turned to go to Ron's room, where he thought they would be.
Harry found Ron and Hermione deep in a chess game in Ron's room, and found them with much the same expressions as they usually had when they played - Hermione with a scowl at her face and Ron with a triumphant smile.
"HA! Checkmate, Hermione!"
Hermione sighed resignedly and turned to see Harry standing in the doorway.
"Harry!"
Ron looked up at Hermione's words and saw Harry. He grinned at him and patted on the floor of his room.
"Come on mate, Let's hear all about your summer..."
Harry told them, but there wasn't much to tell. Ron and Hermione then proceeded to tell him all they'd been doing - including what had happened just hours ago - and then there was a lull in the conversation. The three friends sat in a peaceful silence for a while until Harry finally broke it.
"So, has there been any news about Voldemort, besides those Muggle killings? And where's the new Order of the Phoenix?"
Ron shook his head and suddenly had a very grave expression on his face, and Hermione stopped talking. Harry could understand - she had her parents to fear for.
"No, no news about Voldemort's plans or anything - at least not to us. And as to the Order - I have no idea. It's either there isn't a headquarters anymore, and they use other ways of contacting each other - not likely - or they're just not telling us and it doesn't appear they will. Something strange is afoot though..."
Ron suddenly glanced up at Hermione, who was now looking out the window with a worried expression on her face. Ron put a comforting arm around her before suddenly standing up.
"But let's go, guys! Everyone's dying to see you - Bill, Charlie, and Percy should be here by now. Tonight's gonna be great."
Harry grinned at Ron and sent a comforting smile Hermione's way, before leaving. He heard Hermione and Ron getting up from the floor too, before they went down the stairs, hearing an awful lot of commotion below. Harry wondered what was going on down there, and smiled to himself. Ron was right - this would be a great night.
Sorry guys, I would write some notes but I'm really tired and writing this took a lot of my energy. I will tell you that I'm sorry for leaving Ron and Hermione's "admittance" scene out but I just couldn't figure out how to do it without it being generic. So I simply left it out, because it was definitely gonna mess up the story. Also, the plot will start forming soon, as you guys could probably tell with the mention of Voldemort at the end. See you next chapter...
Chapter Five - At Long Last
Ginny looked again at Ron, wondering why he was looking so unhappy. Hermione was breaking up with Viktor right now - or at least was supposed to be. Why isn't he happy?
"Ron?" Ron looked up from the dirt - where he had been staring for about five minutes - and turned towards Ginny.
"Yeah?"
"What's wrong?"
He seems to be taken aback, she thought to herself. A puzzled expression replaced his frown as he thought about Ginny's question.
"What do you mean, Gin?"
Ginny was confused until she finally figured it out - he didn't know what Hermione was doing. Ginny had a furious battle with herself - would Hermione want Ginny to tell him? Finally, she decided that he deserved to know - the whole thing was about him, after all.
"Ginny?" Ginny snapped out of her internal battle to answer Ron, suddenly realizing that he had been waiting for her answer for about two minutes.
"Hermione's breaking up with Krum."
Ron suddenly jumped up from the dirt with surprise.
"WHAT?"
Ginny was even more confused than before. Ron kept surprising her, which up till now had been an extremely rare occurence. Where she had expected to see elated joy, she instead saw an unreadable expression. It wasn't that he was impassive - there were so many emotions on his face that it was impossible to tell what he felt. The only definite thing Ginny could make out was the he was very confused.
But then again, it wasn't exactly something that everyone could tell was coming. Krum's constant gifts and their almost daily correspondance with letters feet long didn't point to Hermione breaking up with him, despite her not very well hidden affections for Ron. Still though, Krum was a guy that most girls would only dream of catching, and Ron was a guy that girls didn't even dream of catching. Ron was well aware of this too, and it didn't even exactly do wonders for his self-esteem either.
"GINNY!" Ginny cursed to herself. She had gone off again into dreamland and totally ignored that someone was right there with her, and, in fact, talking to her. I've really gotta stop that.
"She's breaking up with him? Why?"
Ginny shrugged.
"Likes another guy."
"Really? Who?"
Well, that's one thing I'll leave for Hermione to tell, Ginny decided.
"You'll see - she's gonna tell him today."
"Really? C'mon Gin, you can -" Ron's face suddenly fell as if crushed - which he was, in fact. Ginny was totally bewildered once again. Can't he be happy for once? Who else would she like, especially if he's the only guy here. Ginny suddenly realized that Harry was coming here today, and what Ron was thinking. It wasn't a surprise that he thought that, either - the half of Hogwarts who didn't believe that Ron and Hermione would go out sometime believed it would be Hermione and Harry. The Rita Skeeter articles didn't help, either, Ginny thought bitterly. They're all just operating on the assumption that the hero gets the girl. But they were wrong in this case. Ginny desperately tried to salvage the mess - after all, she had caused it, however inadvertently.
"Oh Ron, it's not who you think - I promise." Ginny said this and wondered if she could make it any clearer without holding a big sign with bright colorful letters, but Ron looked no better upon hearing this. His tone took on a bitter expression as he talked to Ginny.
"As long as it's not me, it doesn't matter." Ginny was again struck dumb by Ron. Simultaneously by the fact that Ron had been so open with his feelings, and also because he hadn't figured out that it was him. An edge started to grow in her voice.
"How do you know it isn't you?" Ron then proceeded with an argument that Ginny had to admit was very well thought out and fairly persuasive.
"Why wouldn't she have told me? The only reason I haven't told her is because she's got - or had - a boyfriend, but I've NEVER even been on a date with anyone yet, much less dated someone, and it's not exactly a secret that I like her. How could she even think I would reject her? She wouldn't - so she doesn't like me."
Ginny couldn't exactly say anything - after all, she knew Hermione liked him, but basically the only proof she had was that Hermione had told her - and so she simply walked away. Before she left, though, she made the resolution that if Hermione didn't tell Ron today, then she would. It was simply getting ridiculous. However, she hoped it wouldn't come to that - these things are better told in person, and there was no guarantee that Ron would believe it was true unless Hermione told him herself.
She suddenly heard a loud CRACK and put together it must have been Krum. She glanced inside and saw a shaken but clearly relieved Hermione sit down. Ginny rushed in to talk.
Hermione sat down, thankful that Viktor wasn't particularly violent - although he had looked like he might've hurt Ron for a minute there. She looked once again at the garden, and was puzzled to see a frowning Ron deep in thought, pacing in it. He was clearly muttering to himself, and Hermione regretted that it was impossible to hear him.
Suddenly, Ginny burst in with a huge grin on her face.
"So you did it? About time! How'd he take it?"
Hermione gave Ginny a shaky smile.
"He seemed angry, but he didn't do anything to Ron?"
"How'd he know it was Ron?"
"He figured it out for himself."
Ginny answered with a soft "oh" and sat down on a couch. It was Hermione's turn to interrogate.
"Why's Ron looking so pensive over there?"
Ginny glanced out the window at Ron, and, to Hermione's total bewilderment, smiled.
"Well, that's an improvement. Oh yeah, Hermione, I've decided that if you don't tell him by dinner, I will, so I would get a move on. Especially since when - that is, uh, if - I tell him I'll tell him at the dinner table, where EVERYONE will be eating -"
Hermione, horrified, seemed to be incapable of speech.
"- and everyone will know that you're such a wimp I have to tell things for you. So you've got about... five hours. But, as they say, the sooner the better, and you should at least go tell him that you broke up with Krum now."
Hermione struggled futilely against Ginny's grip as Ginny steered her against the door. She was not sure if a conversation with Ron was exactly in her best interests right now, but Ginny didn't seem to be giving her a choice. Ginny ignored Hermione, who had now switched to verbal protests, and forcefully pushed her out the door, leaving Hermione and Ron with a smirk and a last dig - "you lovebirds have fun" - which only Hermione could hear. Hermione looked at Ron - looked UP at Ron, that is - and greeted him.
"Hey Ron."
"Yeah, hey Hermione." Hermione was surprised at the weariness in Ron's tone, and suddenly didn't blame Ginny so much for threating Hermione to tell him.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing, just tired..." Hermione nodded in agreement and decided that Ginny was right for once - the sooner, the better.
"I broke up with Viktor."
"Really? That's good, but why? He seemed to be really nice..."
"Oh, he was, I just like another guy." Ron glanced up and Hermione saw that he seemed to be having some sort of inner battle. He realized that he should probably respond, though.
"I'm sure he'll be very happy..." Hermione detected a definite note of bitterness in his voice. He thinks that it's someone else, she thought. Hermione was a little bit consoled by the fact that he definitely seemed to like her, though. Usually she would have been elated, but she was too filled with butterflies about what she was going to do...
Harry landed expertly in front of the Burrow as his bewitched trunk slowly rose like a feather and then floated down to the ground. Lupin landed down next to Harry along with Mr. Weasley. Mad-Eye simply said his goodbyes and said that he had to go and flew off. Harry was overjoyed to learn that although Mad-Eye was going, Lupin would be staying until dinner at least. Harry suddenly heard two greetings of "Harry!" at the same time and turned around to meet none other than Fred and George, whom he warmly greeted with handshakes.
"Fred, George, how's it going? How's the joke shop?"
"Oh just fantastic Harry, as a matter of fact we wanted to speak to you about it."
"You see, business is booming in Diagon Alley and although we've decided that we won't repay you for your generous gift..."
"Mainly because you wouldn't take it, you stupid prat..."
"We have decided to take it upon us that if you ever needed some money..."
"Be sure to owl us..."
"Although we're sure you won't need it, what with Lupin taking care of you, splendid chap he is, and speak of the devil! Professor Lupin!"
Fred and George nodded to Harry and then went off to talk to Lupin (who insisted that they call him "Remus") and their father, who had noticed their arrival. Harry turned back towards the Burrow only to see Ginny Weasley grinning up at him.
"Hey Harry, how's it going?"
"Hey Ginny, pretty well now, you look good to me? Oh yeah, how's Dean?"
"Oh excellent, we're both here I've got to tell you about Ron and Hermione."
Ginny beckoned so that they could talk without yelling over Fred, George, Mr. Weasley and Lupin. Harry raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. Ginny was clearly very eager about something.
"So?"
"Hermione broke up with Krum and told Ron about her feelings, and he told her he liked her back, so now they're going out!"
Harry grinned to himself - I knew it, he thought.
"Good - now I won't be in the middle of their bickering anymore."
Ginny smiled at him and turned towards the Burrow.
"Well, suppose we should tell them and Mum that you're here..."
Harry nodded and followed Ginny in.
"HARRY! Oh so nice to see you Harry, please sit down...sandwich? No? Sausages? Bacon? Eggs? Any food at all? No? Alright, well I'll just get your stuff upstairs."
Harry threw Ginny a glare, who was shaking with laughter at Mrs. Weasley's mothering antics, and then turned back to Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh no thanks Mrs. Weasley, I can take it..."
"Nonsense dear..." Mrs. Weasley waved her wand at the trunk and it promptly started floating upstairs to Ron's room. She turned back to Harry and appeared to be on the verge of mothering him again until she noticed the twins and Mr. Weasley walk in and enveloped them in a hug. Harry smiled to himself - the Weasleys were always such a happy family. Harry felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around to see Ginny again, who said that he better go to find Ron and Hermione while he had the chance.
"You go ahead Harry, I'll hold off Mum as long as I can..."
Harry nodded his thanks to Ginny and turned to go to Ron's room, where he thought they would be.
Harry found Ron and Hermione deep in a chess game in Ron's room, and found them with much the same expressions as they usually had when they played - Hermione with a scowl at her face and Ron with a triumphant smile.
"HA! Checkmate, Hermione!"
Hermione sighed resignedly and turned to see Harry standing in the doorway.
"Harry!"
Ron looked up at Hermione's words and saw Harry. He grinned at him and patted on the floor of his room.
"Come on mate, Let's hear all about your summer..."
Harry told them, but there wasn't much to tell. Ron and Hermione then proceeded to tell him all they'd been doing - including what had happened just hours ago - and then there was a lull in the conversation. The three friends sat in a peaceful silence for a while until Harry finally broke it.
"So, has there been any news about Voldemort, besides those Muggle killings? And where's the new Order of the Phoenix?"
Ron shook his head and suddenly had a very grave expression on his face, and Hermione stopped talking. Harry could understand - she had her parents to fear for.
"No, no news about Voldemort's plans or anything - at least not to us. And as to the Order - I have no idea. It's either there isn't a headquarters anymore, and they use other ways of contacting each other - not likely - or they're just not telling us and it doesn't appear they will. Something strange is afoot though..."
Ron suddenly glanced up at Hermione, who was now looking out the window with a worried expression on her face. Ron put a comforting arm around her before suddenly standing up.
"But let's go, guys! Everyone's dying to see you - Bill, Charlie, and Percy should be here by now. Tonight's gonna be great."
Harry grinned at Ron and sent a comforting smile Hermione's way, before leaving. He heard Hermione and Ron getting up from the floor too, before they went down the stairs, hearing an awful lot of commotion below. Harry wondered what was going on down there, and smiled to himself. Ron was right - this would be a great night.
Sorry guys, I would write some notes but I'm really tired and writing this took a lot of my energy. I will tell you that I'm sorry for leaving Ron and Hermione's "admittance" scene out but I just couldn't figure out how to do it without it being generic. So I simply left it out, because it was definitely gonna mess up the story. Also, the plot will start forming soon, as you guys could probably tell with the mention of Voldemort at the end. See you next chapter...