Disclaimer: NOT MINE. Even now, in chapter 25, they are not mine. I hope you all have the brains to realize this. If not, well, I'm praying that you get the brains SOON.
Chapter dedicated to Siognee, who wanted more Ginny. smile Enjoy!
After more planning, and much laughter, the three girls separated. Ginny and Hermione headed out to a late lunch, while Sabrina hurried back to her flat to tell Seth the great news…
Once seated at a table in The End of the World, one of their favorite restaurants, Hermione and Ginny continued to talk about Rina's wedding for a few minutes before branching off into other topics. Finally, Ginny leaned forward and said, "So, 'Mione, tell me all about this last year."
Hermione froze for a second. I should know that Ginny wouldn't just wait for me to bring it up. Then she realized that she was panicking. Draco's voice floated through her head for a second, "So you were perfectly fine leaving the rest of us to answer questions on where you went and why." Ginny deserves to know, she decided. However, she was still uncertain how much she wanted to tell – not just to Ginny, but to anyone. Something inside her wanted to keep a portion of it locked away inside herself. So instead of jumping right into the last year, she started slowly. "Well, you know how Ron and I got into a fight, correct?"
Ginny nodded. "But all he would say is that he had cast the Compescor Ianitor spell on you. He refused to say what the fight was about."
Hermione's eyes dropped to the table. "Draco." She whispered. "He sent me a letter, and Ron become furious. He said…" She shut her eyes. "Didn't I tell you to stay away from him, 'Mione?!?!" Once again, she could see Ron glaring at her. Calm down, Hermione. It's only a memory. He's not here; he's not mad now. Well, he's mad, but not because of Draco. She opened her eyes again. "Let's just say that he thought I was completely crazy for wanting to be Draco's friend, and I didn't respond well to his ordering me around." ~ "Grow up Ron! When are you going to get it through your head that I can talk to whomever I want, and there's nothing you can do to stop me?" ~ "…and there's nothing you can do to stop me…" she whispered, unconsciously repeating end of the sentence she had just heard echo through her head.
When she looked up, Ginny's eyes were wide. "Oh, Hermione. And then he did do something to stop you…"
Hermione smiled weakly. "Yeah… I had just basically told him he wasn't my keeper, and he goes and casts a spell to make him my keeper. For that's the literal translation of Compescor Ianitor, you know. Well, literally, it means 'Hold in check doorkeeper', but if you place it within the parameters of the spell…"
"Hermione." Ginny interrupted. "You're babbling. Not that I don't love your babbling, but I already knew the literal definition of the Compescor Ianitor spell. I had Flitwick too, you know." She smiled, to show she wasn't mad. "Why don't you continue with the story?" She suggested gently.
Hermione nodded, smiling back. "Sorry, Ginny. You know how I get." At Ginny's grin, she continued. "What Ron didn't know is that I had a time-turner in the house. I used it to escape. I wrote the note, took my stuff and fled." She placed her hand over Ginny's. "Ginny, I didn't mean to abandon you. I just… it was like I was out of my wits. All I could do was run… run as far away as possible, until my feet hurt so much I had to stop. I slept very little at first, fearful that Ron was on my heels. I would sleep two hours at most before I was off again. It wasn't until after a week or so that I began to calm down. By then, I had cast an unplottable and unlocatable spell on myself. Then, I didn't get in touch because I wanted to forget this life for a while. I kept telling myself that I would be back soon, that you couldn't miss me that much… and then when I came back, I didn't want to give up all that I had gained by running back to the old Hermione." She looked up at Ginny, tears in her eyes.
Ginny squeezed her hand. "I wasn't mad at you, you know. Not at all for the entire year. I missed you, of course. Something just wasn't right when you weren't here to talk to. But mad? How could I be? And if I ever was mad, I wouldn't be now. My brother was wrong. Plain and simple. I just hoped you would eventually come home. And now you have."
Here Hermione smiled through the tears pouring silently down her cheeks. "I have, haven't I?" In more ways than one, I think…
They embraced for a moment; then Hermione wiped away the rest of her tears. No longer did she worry about what to tell Ginny, and what not to tell Ginny. Everything came pouring out of her, and Ginny listened to it all in amazement.
Of course, there were some shockers. "You're René Mighero?"
Hermione grinned. "Yeah. Hard to believe, isn't it?"
Ginny looked confused. "But Ron went to Aria's and looked for you. He even…" A look of amazement crossed her face. "Hermione! You didn't! Oh, but you did! You're unbelievable!"
"Why, whatever are you talking about, Ginny?" She asked innocently. Okay, Hermione, you have to at least attempt not to look like you know what she's talking about. Innocent face, innocent face, innocent…
"Hermione Jane Granger! You know exactly what I'm talking about! By the way, dear, you really need to work on your innocent face…" Damn. Oh well. "Moving on, you sang with Ron, and didn't even tell him it was you. He came back so mad at Draco." She giggled. "Although, it was really funny when the howler came to Draco. The look on his face…" She giggled again.
This time it was Hermione's turn to look confused. "Why were you with Draco at the time?"
"Oh, he was over at my flat, getting fitted for new dress robes when he received it. I almost died laughing. He looked so astonished. Like he was amazed that Ron didn't find you."
Hermione looked down for a second. "He was there, you know. The night that Ron and I sang together. I couldn't see him, but he told me he was. He said he'd been there several times." She looked up at Ginny. "He recognized me, Gin."
Ginny stared at her for a second. "He recognized you." She repeated slowly. Then, realization hit her. "And Ron didn't. Oh, Hermione." She sighed. "Is that why you didn't tell my brother? Because Draco could recognize you and he couldn't?"
Hermione shook her head. "No… not exactly… Just that he couldn't recognize me. I was standing next to him on the stage, the tingle at the base of my head practically making me blind. I could feel that he was next to me, and yet he couldn't. I did nothing to change my voice, Ginny. Nothing at all. I know Ron knows what it sounds like. For crying out loud, we created that song together. And he stood there, right next to me, and couldn't see me." She paused. "It killed me, Ginny. So, no, it had nothing to do with Draco. At the time, I didn't even know Draco had recognized me." She sighed. "Although that didn't help things at all when I found out."
Ginny grabbed Hermione's hands. "Oh, 'Mione, I have to be there when you tell Ron that you're René! I absolutely have to!"
Hermione was startled for a second; then realized why Ginny wanted to be there. Of course Ginny will want to be there when Ron realizes he has to apologize to Draco. She laughed for a second, then stopped. "Alright, Ginny, although I doubt that will be anytime soon."
Ginny looked at her. "Why ever not?"
"Because we got into another fight."
"Not again, 'Mione! What about this time?"
"I refused to apologize for leaving and he was being a jerk. We got mad, tempers blew." She shrugged. "The usual."
Ginny stared intently at her. "I don't think it was exactly the same as usual, Hermione…"
She sighed again. "No, it wasn't. And yet, it was…" There was a pause while she tried to sort out her words. "A year ago, on the night of the Ball, when we were fighting, it hurt so much. The air between us was filled with words spoken in previous fights, and in fights to come. There was the connection, the continuation. This time, it felt almost as if there was nothing, that this would be the last time." And it had. She just hadn't realized that until now. "I told Ron only the other night that I learned to stand on my own while I was away. How could I just give up that, which took me so long to learn? I was scared… scared of a lot of things, but especially that people wouldn't – couldn't – understand what I lost and what I gained. So I stayed hidden away… but secretly, Ginny, I was dying there too. Draco saved me. He saved me twice – both times from myself. Once from not living, and once from hiding from myself. So here I am, not connected completely with my past, and not connected completely with my future… Ginny, where do I go from here?"
Ginny smiled. " 'Mione, no one is completely connected with their past or their future. Those who are cannot live. The rest of us must figure life out as it comes. For now? Don't run away." They shared a smile.
"I won't." Hermione promised. "I'm staying at Draco's flat, for now."
"Draco's flat? Which one?"
"Oh, Ginny, you'll never believe this! It's my old house."
"The Richmond-upon-the-Thames house? He's the one who bought it?"
"Apparently. I even have my old room."
Ginny shook her head. "You're right. I don't believe it. But I do. It's like it was meant to be, 'Mione. Enjoy your time there. It should help you decide what to do with life. Dealing with the past always helps me to focus on my future."
Hermione smiled. "Ginny, you're amazing. I am so grateful you're my friend. What would I ever do without you?"
Ginny smiled back. "The same thing I'd have to do without you."
They said together, "Eat a lot more ice cream."
With that, all talk of the past was stopped – well, at least the recent past. Talk of Hogwarts and of the Burrow continued on through the rest of their very long luncheon. When they finally left The End of the World two hours later, they made sure to give their poor waiter an extremely generous tip.
Shout outs:
Laura-Grace (and Kali) grin Yeah, FF.net was being a pain. I think it's better now…. Tell me what you think.
Siognee: I haven't made up my mind yet (meaning that Hermione hasn't made up her mind yet) on whom she wants to get together with. I mean, she has, but it's changed… several times, in fact. If you don't mind my asking, are you close to the person Draco reminds you of?
SnWfLaKeSwEeTy: Glad you understand what a beta-reader is now. Yes, your vote has been recorded – several times, in fact. And no, I never dropped the story. It just takes some time to get everything the way I like it.
Carey Miles: Yeah, I have a hard time updating sometimes. I live in Italy, and sometimes the server here in Naples isn't all that great. Right now I'm battling power outages as I write, which always delays the chapters being sent to my beta-readers, and I try not to post without the approval of one or the other (or preferably both) of them. grin Again, I apologize for the length of time between chapters!
Mistri: Glad you are enjoying Draco's confidence. smile
Dreaming One: I'm glad you enjoy my writing so much. Draco will tell his story… he just has to say it in his own Draco-way. He can be very annoying and vague, I know. Leave me your e-mail, and I'll make sure to let you know when I update.
(Madiszon): Actually, I haven't officially declared it EITIHER D/Hr OR R/Hr. But I'm pretty sure it will end up as one of them. Hermione just hasn't completely made up her mind which yet (and Draco and Ron are both trying their hardest to make it them, of course) grin Leave an e-mail address and I'll notify you when I update.
Mioneg7: Happy Holidays to you too. I had hoped for more postings, but my power keeps going out while I'm typing the chapters. Glad to know you enjoy getting the e-mails. I'll make sure you're always on the list! smile
enoimreH: Yes, my holidays were splendid. Thanks for caring. smile
Everyone please review!