Is This Love?
A/N: Sorry about the 5 month delay. I hope you all are still interested in reading my story and hopefully you will review, probably to rant about the over-due update. Well, without further adieu, I give you chapter four. Please enjoy!
Chapter 4:
The dark had an eerie silence to it. She felt so afraid, so alone. She started to hear her name being called from afar. She thought to herself, "Ron?" As this was happening, Harry and Ginny were frantically trying to wake up Herimone from her unconscious fall. When they were calling out her name she started to come to. Suddenly, she whispers, "Ron?" Harry and Ginny looked at each other. Hermione slowly opened her eyes. She looked up to see two contrasting faces hovering over her.
"What happened?" she said, confused, wondering why she was lying on the floor. Harry and Ginny looked at each other again. Ginny said very softly, "You fainted when I told you that Harry proposed to me."
Tears started to swell in Hermione's bleary eyes. She immediately knew the exact reason she passed out. Ginny's and Harry's engagement had instantly reminded her of Ron and their last night together, the same night he proposed. "I'm so sorry you guys. I must have ruined your magical moment. I guess I didn't have enough to eat yesterday and the excitement must have totally drained me." Of course, this was a lie, because she practically ate everything in the house yesterday. She took a deep breath and continued, "I can't believe it. You guys are getting married! Let's go out and celebrate!"
The couple looked a little hesitant. Then Harry spoke up, "Hermione, could you keep this a secret right now? We plan on telling everyone at Thanksgiving dinner next week at the Burrow."
"Of course! I understand. That doesn't mean we can't go out and have fun. In fact, lets go out to dinner. I'm starving! And don't worry, I'm paying. You two need to save your money for the divorce."
"Ha ha Hermione. So where do you want to go?
Work went by, still preparing for the search and rescue. We had over 150 animagus training with some of the best. Of course, there was Minerva McGonagall, who came out of retirement to help when she found out that one of her former students was in trouble. Also, there was Ian Cantrell from America. He was young but took his powers seriously and excels at stealth. And Greg Lederhoosen from Germany. He has trained many animagus, by not only teaching them how to transform perfectly but to transfigure things around them while still in their animal state. These talented people and their pupils were located in one of the court rooms on the lower levels. Up above, Aurors were everywhere frantically trying to find out more information on anything about Lord Voldemort and his army. They needed to find Death Eaters, in hopes of getting an answer, which was unlikely in itself. They needed to check the location around Ron's tracker to make sure that there is coverage to hide and steak out. Everything and everyone were in a total state of disarray.
Hermione was very busy. She had to write and send out many letters for more help, not only for the search and rescue, but for their normal assignment of keeping their magical community in order. Even though they were trying to focus on Ron's safety, there was still crime going on throughout the city. This war was really challenging her but, as always, she was determined to achieve. She became really stressed and got sick again. She was always nauseous and her body was sore. She was so happy when the weekend rolled around. She decided to walk home for the cool breeze, but she walked for about an hour before she took the Underground.
It was very crowded, mostly with people like her. Not magical but getting off from work. Many were wearing suits like her and carring suitcases like her, but none, she was sure, had powers like her and that made her realize how special she was. She was muggle- born and yet, she was better than most pure- bloods she knew, as Neville Longbottom came to mind. Her thoughts were interrupted when her stop came around and she got off. She walked along the leaf- covered street where she passed a park. Her, Ron and Harry spent a lot of time at this park after Hogwarts. They would have fun enjoying their freedom and basking in their young glory. She walked up the stone steps and into the elevator. When it reached her floor and the doors opened she could instantly tell, from the loud music, that Harry was home. He had really got her into that muggle music because it's so good. Right now he was listening to The Get- Up Kids, an American band. He must have, like her, had another tough and stressful day. She continued to walk down the hall when she smelled a savory and delicious smell. The rumble her stomach made was almost louder than the music. When she opened the door, she saw Harry teaching Ginny how to make what looked like enchiladas.
"Those better be ready soon or I'm afraid my stomach will attack, by the sound of it!" She had to yell over the music to be heard, but halfway through, the song stopped and her yelling startled the happy couple.
"Oh Hermione. We didn't hear you come in," said Ginny.
Hermione replied sarcastically, "I wonder why?" But the remark remained unnoticed as another song started up.
As the three of them were sitting down, eating dinner, the twins came home. It was still hard for Hermione to look at them but she did when they directly addressed her.
"Hermione, we need your help tomorrow with the shop, can you meet us there in the afternoon?" asked George.
She hesitated. Then she said, "Of course. What do you guys need help with exactly? I don't want to get injured on this favor."
Fred spoke up. "Thanks. We'll discuss it tomorrow and you don't need to worry. Now, the real question is, can we have some?"
Hermione heard a jingle when she opened the store door. It was really crowded, mostly with teenagers that had the same mischievous glint in their eyes like the twins did back in the day. Hermione gave a little smile as she continued to make her way to the back of the store. When she found a middle- aged man reached the counter, she asked for Fred and George. He left through a curtain behind him and when he returned, he asked her to follow him. As he led her through the back, she looked around to what seemed like a very complex maze of corridors, until she realized all the extra hallways and doors were fake. The man finally opened a door after a couple of minutes of walking and she stepped in. She heard the door slam shut after her and looked back to see the man gone. She turned back around to face the twins wearing matching lime green suits and lilac ties.
"Hey guys. Loved the fake corridors. To confuse thieves, right?"
"Correct observation Hermione. The doors aren't real but they do open and whoever opens them gets caught and unless you know the secret phrase, you won't be getting out."
"Wow, that's amazing. You two are honestly too smart for your own good. Anyways, what did you need me for?"
"Well, nothing really, since we're so intelligent. Actually, we wanted to talk to you."
"What about?"
"George and myself have noticed that you've been avoiding us."
"Uh… well, I just… I can't…" Hermione whimpered and fell to her knees. She started to sob, head in hands. The twins just stood there, terrified. After a couple of tear-stained minutes, Hermione slowly readjusted herself.
"I'm so sorry, it's just, you look… you remind… Ron. I just couldn't… I'm sorry." She whispered, putting her hands up to her face. George walked over to her while she looked up at him. She was taken aback when she saw tears in his eyes. He pulled her up from the floor and wrapped his arms around her. Hermione, in shock from all of their compassion, hugged him back.
Fred came over and hugged her as well and said, "Hermione, we'll always be here for you. It's been tough on us too. We know how you two felt about each other. We can get through this and don't worry, we'll find him and bring him back safely." They stayed like this for awhile, comforting themselves.
Hermione felt a lot happier and relieved when she left. She no longer had to worry about dodging them and now, which meant more than ever, she could talk to them.
She went to work on Monday with a relaxed yet determined attitude. Not only was this week three days because of Thanksgiving, but also because the animagus were ready to go out searching. But since this Thursday was Thanksgiving, she decided to let them stay to spend the holiday with their families before they left. Everything seemed to be going good and the next two days went by smoothly. That Wednesday night, Hermione, Harry, Fred and George started packing for their long holiday weekend at the Burrow.
Chaos dominated the atmosphere. Everyone was running around, trying their best at their assigned mission. There were little shrieks and shrills of pain as hot objects flew across a smoke- filled room.
"Stop!" someone yelled. There were crashes and more screams, as cloudy figures ran around the room, but then came silence. The voice spoke out again.
"Someone clear this smoke, I can't see or breathe. Plus, I think we're done." The room cleared to show many adults, most on the floor, some with weird goo on them and others with slight burn marks. The voice, now seen as the tallest red head said, "Okay. Good job everybody, the Thanksgiving feast is done. It's too bad Mum's ill or it would be better. First, get cleaned up, then Bill and I will take the two turkeys. Percy, Fred and George, you guys take the mashed potatoes, the corn and the salad. Harry, Hermione and Ginny, you three can take the stuffing, biscuits and the tray of condiments. Alright, let's go."
The dinner was excellent, seeing the families of the older Weasley brothers. Charlie's married and has twin girls, three years old. Bill, of course, is married to Fluer Delacour. But Percy hasn't started a family yet because he is working hard at his job as the assistant to the assistant of the secretary to the Minister of Magic. They decided to eat dinner outside because they couldn't fit fourteen people inside. After dinner, Harry and Ginny went inside to retrieve the pumpkin pies. Since there were six pies, knowing Mrs. Weasley wouldn't want them under fed, Hermione got up to help them. She walked into them talking nervously in hushed voices. She quietly walked towards them and since they didn't see her, she caught some of their conversation.
"…don't know if I can tell…"
"Ginny, don't worry, I'll tell them and they'll be ha- Hermione! We didn't see you, not that it matters, you already know" said Harry.
"I'm so happy you guys are doing this! I can't wait! I've been practicing looking surprised" squealed Hermione.
Ginny sighed with relief, "Thanks. We really need some support."
"Your welcome. Now let's get out there and tell your family!"
The three of them grabbed two pies each and went back outside. They got to the tables and set the pies down. Hermione returned to her seat while Harry and Ginny remained at the front of the table. Ginny looked into Harry's eyes while he took her hand in his. Harry took a deep breathe and said, "Everyone, Ginny and I have an announcement." Everyone became silent. Some were worried, others confused, but as Harry and Ginny looked on with butterflies in their stomachs, they saw Hermione's beaming face and it reassured them.
"Ginny and I are getting married."
At first, it was dead silent, with shocked faces. Then, an explosion of sound. Most were happy and cheered, but Charlie, Bill, Fred and George marched up to the front of the table and snatched Harry aside. Even though they all took their time to explain themselves, they all pretty much said the same thing, "You hurt her, you die." Harry promised his undying love of Ginny to her brothers and went back to share the moment.
Okay, so this chapter is longer, but it took too long for me to write it! I'm sorry you guys, you may have to wait another month or two for the next chapter; I have to study for finals, get college applications ready and a huge 600 point research paper. So just bear with me. And honestly you guys, REVIEW! The last couple of review I got made the inspiration I needed to finish and to type it up! God bless you all! And if I don't get another chance to write up again for another month, MERRY CHRISTMAS and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Of course, for New Year's, I'll be in Kenwood, Michigan. If you live there, review and tell me, and I could try to find you!