A/N: As previously stated these are one-offs so this takes place in a completely different timezone.
Obviously not everyone agrees with all ships; however I ask that the work be judged on what is written, not what ship is used. Calling a coupling 'gross' does not constitute as constructive criticism.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or anything belonging to the Harry Potter Universe.
Flicking through the Daily Prophet, the end of a feathered quill in his mouth, Ron raised his eyebrows as Harry came down the stairs of the burrow. He watched as his best friend sat across from him, grabbed a piece of toast and began taking it apart, eating it, bit by bit.
Looking back down, Ron half concentrated on the paper as he gave a picture of Cornelius Fudge being chased out of office, a funny moustache and a speech bubble which read, "I eat dungbombs for breakfast." He laughed to himself a little until he saw Hermione walk into the room, a pot of muggle tea in hand. She gave him a meaningful look as she returned to the Kitchen to presumably fetch mugs.
Ron kicked Harry under the table. "Hermione says you've got to talk about Sirius. She says you're being far too quiet. And, well, I have to agree mate. Last year, when Cedric died, you were all guns blazing, anyone would've guessed you'd be worse with Sirius going...but you're not. We're worried for you..."
"Don't be." he said simply, stuffing another slice of toast in his mouth. "Besides, I've already talked about Sirius."
Ron looked affronted. "No you have not!" he said, placing the paper down, pointing his quill at Harry, eyeing him suspiciously. Hermione re-entered the room, with Ginny in tow, both girls carrying mugs and saucers.
"Harry says he's talked about Sirius, Hermione. But he hasn't. You tell him he hasn't."
"You haven't Harry." she said, shaking her head, looking at him disapprovingly. "Perhaps you think you have, but you haven't...maybe you're not getting enough sleep. Wouldn't surprise me after what's happened and maybe that's why you're imagining conversations."
"I'm not imagining them! I have had conversations about Sirius!" insisted Harry, starting to get irritated by Hermione's nagging. Ron gave her a wary look, as if to say don't push him further while also knowing she couldn't help it. Her cheeks grew red and she slammed a mug in front of Harry, "No, you haven't." she argued.
"Yes he has," spoke Ginny, quietly, not really wanting to get in the middle of one of their arguments, seeing as it was their business but knowing they had no right to accuse Harry of something he hadn't done.
"Thank you Ginny." breathed Harry, standing to pour himself some tea.
"Well, you can't have..." defied Hermione, giving Ginny a look as if to say 'stop playing along with Harry and side with us once in a while'." I mean, you haven't talked to either of us, has he Ron?"
Ron looked frightened as Hermione glared at him, he really didn't want to carry this on any further, let alone be dragged into any argument. So, he settled for shaking his head. Harry was about to say a word when Ginny spoke up,
"So, just because he hasn't spoken to you two, that means he cant have spoken to anyone? Honestly, you're so arrogant sometimes, Hermione. I'm surprised you can look beyond your own nose long enough to read those wretched books of yours!"
Both boys faked mild coughing fits at that moment, Harry choking on his toast, Ron spluttering into his tea. Hermione went as red as a tomato but stood her ground, pulling out a chair next to Harry, staring him straight in the face.
"So, tell me Harry, who did you find it easier to talk to than your two best friends?"
Ginny shook her head and sat, looking at her hands as she spoke, "You're not gunna like it Hermione. You're far better off not asking."
"Shut up Ginny!" she barked, surprising herself as well as the others at the sharp tone in her strict voice.
"Luna," spoke Harry, in a barely audible whisper. Ron raised his hands to his ears, waiting for the fireworks to begin. Hermione's mouth opened and shut around five times before a superior look took over her face. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn't cry. "That's fine." she said, slightly shakily. "But the least you could've done is told us Harry. We've been worried sick..."
Harry would've had to have switched off if she'd been given time to carry on, but at that instant Ron, who had a very concentrated look on his face, came over extremely puzzled. "Ginny, you brought out one too many cups."
"No I didn't, Luna's coming over..." she replied tentatively, looking at Hermione as if she were a ticking time bomb. But she didn't react loudly; she simply stood up and tucked her chair back beneath the table. Walking over to where Ron was sat, she grabbed his arm and attempted to heave him off the chair. The ginger nut he was dunking in his tea fell into the cup and he groaned, clearly annoyed. "Hermione, where are we going?"
She obviously couldn't lift him and so Ron stood, laying a hand on her shoulder to steady her, he could tell she was hurt and for once could understand, if only a little, her pain. Her voice still shaky, she replied, "We're going Ron. Harry will want to talk to Luna, presumably alone, so we'd better make ourselves scarce..."
"Hermione, you know I didn't mean it like that..." responded Harry, his voice full of emotion as he stood, as if to stop them but one turn of her head clearly showed Harry that Hermione wasn't going to listen. Stubbornness, he found, was a common quality in know-it-alls and this was more than evident in Hermione right now.
He watched as Ron smiled in apology to Harry and allowed himself to be lead into the garden by a furious Hermione who by now, from her whimpers, Harry could tell, was crying. Annoyed at himself, he sat back down in a huff.
"I'm sorry..." spoke Ginny, quietly, leaning across the table, touching Harry's hand lightly."It's my fault; I shouldn't have said anything..."
"No, it's not..." he said, taking her hand and squeezing it in thanks."I had to tell them sometime, it's better now than later. It's my fault they're angry and they have every right to be..."
At that second they both turned as a cockerel crowed. "That must be Luna..." said Ginny, getting up from her chair, dropping Harry's hand without much attention."I'll leave you two to it." she smiled, heading toward the stairs. "You get the door Harry. I'm sure she'll be much more pleased to see your face open it than mine."