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Chapter Fifteen
"So there Mum was, standing in the twins' room, with a pair of purple lace knickers in her hand and Fred says to her…dead serious, "But Mum, we're just holding them for Percy…he collects them, didn't you know?'"
Harry broke out into uproarious laughter, making it hard for Ginny to finish the story without giggling uncontrollably. Taking deep breathes she finished, "…they were out and in their own flat in two days. Mum still can't look Angelina in the eye."
Harry was doubled over in mirth, clutching at his sides. Ginny's laughter faded as she watched him. She had never seen him this relaxed…happy…at least not with her.
He looked up at her with a smile that made her heart flip. "Ginny, you are an absolutely brilliant story teller."
She smiled with pride and gave him her best mischievous grin. "Better than Ron?"
He laughed again. "Better than Ron. But if you repeat that, I'll deny it to the day I die."
"It's too late, Mr. Potter, I know your secret now. If I want it to be known, it will be known. I have my ways."
"I'm sure you do." He was smiling at her with a lop-sided grin and intense green eyes. It made her giddy and more than a bit light headed.
She wondered if she could actually survive a real friendship with Harry Potter.
Ginny felt the double doors she was leaning against give way. It was bloody well time; they had been in there for hours... the sun was already coming up.
But only Adrianna slipped out, closing the door behind her. Ginny felt the Imperturbable Charm being placed again. "I see you haven't gone far?" Adrianna remarked.
Harry shrugged and looked up at his cousin with a worried grimace. "How'd it go?"
She sank to the floor in front of them, sitting cross legged with her elbow on the floor and her head in her hand. "The inquisition is over…now they're 'discussing' things privately. Rather a waste of time on their part, as I can still hear them, Imperturbable or no Imperturbable." She rolled her eyes. "Though I am glad to be out of there."
"Was it awful?" Harry asked worriedly. "They aren't going to try and make you leave, are they?"
She shook her head. "Naw, I won them over at least that far."
"Did you threaten to hex them, or just use blackmail?" Harry asked with that lop-sided grin, again.
"Neither, as of yet…got by with that pesky truth thing."
"So, just manipulation, then," he laughed.
"Harry, love," she drawled, "How many times do I have to tell you…powers of persuasion. Manipulation is such an ugly word."
Ginny felt the familiar loneliness of being isolated in a group of people. It was right frightening, the easy closeness Harry and his cousin had developed
So much had changed for him, would Ginny fit in better or worse now?
She noticed Adrianna smiling gently at her and swallowed her unease. Would this woman share her thoughts with Harry? If the Empath were really going to be around all the time now, how would any of them keep any secrets?
"Where are Ron and Hermione?" Adrianna asked.
Harry shrugged, "They went up stairs a while ago."
Adrianna frowned and closed her eyes. She seemed to be concentrating.
"Where are they?" Harry asked.
"Still upstairs." His cousin grinned wickedly. "No troubles."
Catching the gleam in her eye, Ginny's curiosity took over. "What are they doing?"
Adrianna just shook her head. "It's no use," Harry said. "She won't tell. Privacy…blah…blah…blah…"
"You wouldn't want me telling your secrets, now would you?" The response was for Harry, but her eyes were on Ginny.
"I suppose not. So, do we sit and have you listen to their conversation and tell us…" Harry asked eagerly.
"God, no, I've had more than enough of their thoughts, thank you very much. They are exhausting."
For the first time Ginny felt tired as well. "We should probably go to sleep."
Harry shook his head. "I'm too agitated to sleep." He looked at his cousin. "Besides, I'd like to do that thing."
She nodded grimly. "And we need to send out those letters to the Ministry and I really want to change Dobby back…he's creeping me out."
Ginny wondered if she were going to be excluded again. The rush she had felt from Harry's undivided attention was fading quickly.
"We can start downstairs, then," Harry said. "Dobby's down there and there's a perch for the owls."
"'Kay," Adrianna turned and fixed Ginny with a grim look.
Now's the time where they say 'run along and play, Ginny,' she thought bitterly. She was getting bloody sick of it. What would happen if she refused to go?
"Ginny, do you feel up to talking about Sirius?" Harry's cousin asked.
The girl's stomach plummeted; she hadn't expected that. Fear, anxiety and sadness filled her. They had avoided the topic all summer. Worrying about Harry had allowed Ginny to avoid thinking about how she felt about Sirius' death.
"I think you should," Adrianna said with confidence. Rising she extended a hand to Ginny. "Come with us."
Confused, but thankful she wasn't being dismissed, Ginny allowed the Empath to help her up. She half expected to feel that odd calming feeling she remembered feeling when she first met Adrianna…but there was nothing.
Ginny followed Harry down the stairs. He rushed to greet his pet, stroking her and feeding her the owl treats that Dobby was quick to provide. Adrianna praised Hedwig for the job she had done with the fake letters and Ginny was briefly bitter as she remembered their deception.
Dobby insisted on serving the enormous breakfast he made. Ginny sat next to Harry, who was still fussing over Hedwig, "I really missed you, girl. Hedwig, we have some very important letters that need to go to the Ministry. Don't really trust anyone else to bring them." Hedwig preened proudly as Harry attached the stack of letters Adrianna had handed him to her leg.
After Hedwig had flown off, Adrianna pulled out her miniature potion trunk from her bag. She laid it on the kitchen floor and enlarged it. As she rummaged through it for Dobby's antidote, Ginny finally had the courage to ask, "Harry, what is it we're going to do, exactly?"
"Oh…we're uh…gonna sorta decontaminate the place of painful memories…sorta." At her confused expression, he bit the inside of his cheek and continued, shyly. "This summer we did a lot of talking about Sirius. I wasn't exactly thrilled about it at first…it was right painful, but then it was good, you know. It makes you feel like you're honoring him, but at the same time it takes the power of the memories to hurt you. All the irrational stuff…the guilt…the blame, you just see it as unfounded."
Harry finished and turned to Adrianna. Ginny hadn't realized was sitting across from them at the kitchen table. She smiled approvingly and Harry sighed with relief. "Very well said, Harry."
Ginny was still. She couldn't believe that Harry had said all that…to her of all people.
A newly restored Dobby came bounding over to place heaping breakfast plates in front of them. Ginny watched Harry out of the corner of her eye as he ate….ate like she hadn't seen him eat in months. She was ashamed to say that she did keep tabs on his dietary habits. Again, she took in his handsome profile…the sickly, drawn Harry was already fading from memory.
Ginny picked at her food, before she knew it the other two had cleared their plates and Adrianna was asking, "Ready?"
Ginny felt panicky…ready for what?
"Oh, we forgot to finish explaining...sorry, jet lag and so on," Adrianna apologized, confusing Ginny more. "Ginny you know how sometimes when you enter a room, a memory hits you so hard it's like a punch to the gut?"
Ginny nodded, trying not to remember all the places that evoked such memories for her. She still couldn't walk by Moaning Myrtle's Lavatory; occasionally she walked twenty minutes out of her way just to avoid it.
"We're going to take away the rooms' power to do that," Adrianna finished.
Ginny's jaw dropped. "You can do that? With a spell?"
Adrianna chuckled ruefully, "No… never mix magic and emotions…ever! Disastrous, trust me. We're going to use psychology."
"It's simple, Gin, we're just going to go to each room and tell every memory that we can call to mind…good and bad…that way there is nothing left that the room can throw at you."
"You don't have to talk Ginny," his cousin said softly. "But you really should at least listen."
Ginny was feeling uncomfortable, like she was intruding, which was odd, since she usually enjoyed that. "Are you sure you want me listening?" she asked Harry.
Harry nodded.
Ginny gulped as the chronicle started. It was so odd being privy to the secret world of Harry Potter, after all this time. Somehow even the most mundane story seemed intimate. She felt voyeuristic…and fascinated, before she got lost in the narrative.
It was all so sad.
Harry started mildly enough, with the first time he had spent time with Sirius in the kitchen. They all smiled as he talked about how the twins had levitated the stew and sent it flying. Harry talked with gratitude about how Sirius had stood up to Mrs. Weasley and insisted that he be told about Voldemort.
Ginny remembered…she had been the only one banished that night.
Then a dozen anecdotes followed. Sirius making fun of Mundungus, Sirius teasing Remus, Sirius growling at Snape, and Sirius moping at not being able to leave the house and properly join the fight…
He had properly joined the fight in the end. With this thought, Ginny successfully fought back tears.
Sirius's favorite diner was lamb and his favorite desert blackberry cobbler. Ginny hadn't known that but she had known about his weakness for heavy red wine.
Harry's final tale didn't include Sirius at all, but it broke her heart even more. "all He told the story of when he had Flooed Grimmauld Place to talk to Sirius and gotten Kreacher instead, whose betraying lies sent them to the Department and Mysteries and lead to Sirius' death.
It had been Ginny's idea to Floo Sirius the first time. Great bit of advice that was. No wonder no one included her.
As Harry told this tale his jaw clenched and his eyes filled with tears. Ginny again felt she was intruding. There was silence as Harry fell silent and Ginny became aware of the food that still sat in front of her. It turned her stomach. She pushed it away.
"You want to say anything, Ginny?" Adrianna asked.
Ginny shook her head a little too vigorously.
The Empath accepted this easily and turned to ask Harry if he was ready to move on. He nodded his head distractedly, and for a moment he looked like the Harry of before, the Harry of after The Department of Mysteries. Adrianna approached him and placed a hand on his arm. Together they made there way up the stairs, Ginny following at a distance.
They skipped the ground floor and Ginny's eyes lingered on the closed dining room door as she climbed the steps. They spent a few minutes in Ginny and Hermione's room, but though Harry had spent a lot of time there, Sirius hadn't, so they moved on quickly.
Across the hall, they entered the large drawing room and Ginny felt the assault of memories that had been described earlier. She felt a heavy weight settle upon her and she had to concentrate to breathe properly.
She wasn't sure she wanted to play this game anymore.
For some reason, Harry started with Christmas and how light and happy Sirius had been. Christmas reminded Ginny of her father being attacked and how frightened she had been and how hard she tried to hide it.
One night, she had snuck into this room to cry in the corner. Sirius had found her there. He had just sat next to her until she was all cried out….then never once mentioned it again. Exactly the thing to do, really. She…
One minute, she was under delicate control and the next she was sobbing so hard she couldn't stand. She felt an arm come around her, supporting her, and guiding her until she was sitting on the sofa. It took her awhile to realize it was Adrianna, by then she didn't have the strength to pull away. She sat next to Ginny with her arm around her, whispering soothing noises.
Ginny wanted to feel angry….invaded…who the hell did this woman think she was?
She looked up to see Harry in front of her and she swiped away her tears, furious with herself for her display. "I'm sorry," she ground out, bitterly.
Harry fell to his knees and took her hands in his, "Don't be…" His throat seemed too thick for him to continue. Ginny saw tears flowing down his cheeks.
"It's important to cry. It takes strength to cry, to feel the emotions," Adrianna whispered, as if she was telling the world and it was not directed toward Ginny.
Regardless, the words caused the last drop of resistance to leave Ginny's body. All the air in her lungs left her in a whoosh and the tears followed in a deluge. She sobbed and sobbed. Time became meaningless…at some point Ginny's head dropped to Adrianna's shoulder.
And at some point Harry buried his eyes in their joined hands and washed them with tears of his own.
Ron was drowning.
Willingly, happily drowning and there was nothing he could do could stop it. He had somehow found the strength to kiss Hermione, but he would never be able to find the strength to stop.
He couldn't even control what he was doing. He was afraid that he might be hurting her; he was kissing her so hard. His mouth was sucking, nipping, devouring her like she was the only food he had had in months. He knew that there was no skill in the kiss, but he couldn't pull back. His mind was numb with sensation, his body on fire.
Any will Ron had left he used to keep one hand firmly placed on the wall behind them, maintaining their balance, but primarily keeping his hand from becoming…disrespectful. He didn't want to make her feel cheep…she was too important. She deserved more than this…than him. This crazed mass of teenaged lust who couldn't even control himself around her.
But her lips were moving beneath his with equal fervor and it was making him dizzy. Her hands were clutching his shoulders. He knew she was on her toes to meet him, but even so his neck and his back were crouched over to reach her. They were starting to ache.
More than anything, he wanted to use his hands to grab her delightful arse and lift her against him, but he forced himself not to. The hand buried in her curls flexed with the effort to stay away.
He tilted her head to one side, improving the angle. He felt the undeniable need to taste her…really taste her. For long moments he fought it, but the need was too much and he was far too weak.
He planned to do it tentatively, make sure she wanted it, but somehow he just aligned his lips with hers and forced them open. He was amazed at how easily they parted. Again he hesitated, worried that he might bruise her with the pressure.
Then she moaned and his knees buckled. It set him into motion. He swallowed the sound and slid his tongue into her mouth…it was the most amazing thing…her taste was completely unique…entirely Hermione. It was instantly his favorite taste in the world.
He was addicted to her. From that moment on, he was hers to do as she wished…use him for as long as she pleased and discard him when she was done ….it didn't matter. He'd do anything to just keep kissing her.
She slumped against him and he groaned as her lips fell from his. Her head fell against his chest and he could hear her gasping for breath…or maybe that was him. He tenderly cradled her head against him, willing her not to hate him, as his own forehead fell against the wall behind her. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut, waiting for his body to function normally again.
It was then he realized that the full length of his body was pressed against her. More specifically, the part of him that most betrayed what his pathetic, perverted body really wanted from her. It was so hard and alive with sensation that he could feel the softness of her belly through the constricting jeans.
He imagined her horrified expression as she realized what was going on. She'd call him a pig and… He found the strength to take a step back and break contact.
The movement made her look up and meet his eyes. The visual contact was jolting and he felt a not all together unpleasant tug in his stomach.
Her lips were red and swollen and he mentally berated himself. He had been too rough. Her checks were the most fantastic shade of pink and her eyes…warm chocolate eyes and…he was drowning again…he felt himself pulled toward her again…drawn by an invisible force.
"Ron," she breathed, the first words spoken in what seemed like forever. They brought back cold reality.
His hand dropped from her head and he swallowed, stepping back again. She clutched his shirt, keeping him from going too far. He searched her face. "I'm sorry." The words just fell out of his mouth.
Her face fell but her voice was husky when she asked, "For kissing me?"
Shite, how could he be sorry for that? It had been the single best moment…
He managed to shake his head, as he sputtered, "…for being rough…for hurting you." His voice cracked.
Her hand reached up and cradled his cheek. "Don't be sorry….I …." Then in a tiny voice she admitted, "I liked it."
He had died. Died and gone to the great beyond, because there was no way this was really happening.
Words failed him completely as she searched his face with her familiar contemplative expression. Then she took his hand. "C 'mere," she commanded gently, with an encouraging smile. She led him to the old, moth-ridden bed and sat beside him.
He purposely fixed his gaze ahead, pleading with his body to settle down. He was grateful for the confining, painful jeans…the discomfort was worth it if he could keep his humiliation from Hermione.
Didn't she understand how dangerous it was to be on a bed with him at that instant?
"Ron?'
Oh, crap, she wanted to talk.
"Mmm," he responded, with growing anxiety
She took a moment, and seemed to be gathering her courage. "Do you remember, the other night….I know it was an unusual situation but…that was my first kiss, you know."
His hand flexed involuntarily in hers. Self-loathing filled him. He nodded and swallowed through a thick throat. He said the only thing that he thought might be even remotely comforting. "Mine, too."
He could feel her gaze on his face, but knew that if he looked at her he was done for. He wished he had the strength to let go of her hand.
"Um…did you enjoy it?" she asked hesitantly.
His involuntary laugh had a hysterical edge to it. "Yeah…yeah I enjoyed it."
Definitely the understatement of the century.
"So, I was kinda wondering if you'd…um….maybe like to…er…keep doing it."
Ron felt himself choke, as his eyes flew to her face. She hadn't just said what he thought she said? Wide-eyed, he sputtered for several moments before managing to get out the words, well, one word actually. "What?"
Her confidence appeared to waver and she bit her lip, which was a right brilliant strategy, really.
She bravely kept her eyes aligned with his. "I wondered if you'd like to practice with me?"
"Practice?" It wasn't very manly to faint, was it?
"Mmhm, seeing as neither of us have much experience… I thought that we might be able to use the practice. Um…most kids at school know loads more than I do and I… I eh…We trust each other and we feel comfortable around each other…so I think it's only the logical choice… I mean practice is important."
Had she gone mad? Was this really Hermione Granger?
Then again who else would say, 'It's the only logical choice.' Fuck, was she actually suggesting they study kissing.
She was bloody fantastic.
When he didn't immediately respond Hermione pressed on. "I mean if you're not attracted to me, I understand…" She took his laugh of disbelieve as encouragement. "But we do seem to…work well together."
Did they ever.
Why was she doing this? Didn't she want more? Didn't she want to "practice" with someone she was dating? That's what she deserved.
Maybe she understood the awful truth; he wasn't good enough to date her…but there was going to be little else available for the rest of the summer.
Shaking away the extremely painful thought, Ron reprimanded himself, 'Just agree, idiot.' It's the chance of a lifetime….he got permission to snog the girl he fancied, without strings. None of that boyfriend stuff that he knew he'd just bollocks up, sooner rather than later.
"Um, ok," he managed.
Her eyes brightened. "Ok?" she repeated hopefully.
He nodded, smiling back. Yeah, I'd…I'd really love to practice with you."
She smiled brightly at him and he knew he was grinning back like a fool.
After long minutes Hermione nervously said, 'Well then…um I suppose we should get back to Harry…"
Harry…Harry who? Harry! Bloody hell, he'd forgotten all about Harry. Some friend he was.
She started to get up and he tightened the grip on her hand. As much as Ron didn't want to break whatever spell they were under…they couldn't go downstairs without settling a few things. Looking at her cautiously he said, "Um, Hermione…about Harry...and Adrianna."
"Oh…right." She fell back on the bed and stared ahead, thoughtfully. "Well um… I guess we need to come to a compromise."
"Compromise?" he asked, dumbly. He wondered if he had become completely addled, because all he could seem to do is repeat what she said.
She nodded. "Well, how about I promise to that I'll try and be open minded about Adrianna, if you agree that there might be more there than meets the eye…" She flicked a nervous glance at him.
He was in awe of her. He didn't deserve to be in the same room as her. When he found his voice, he told her, "You are the most amazing person, you know that?"
She blushed and gave him a watery smile. "Oh, Ron." Then she was in his arms again and he hugged her tightly, savoring the moment.
The hug went on way too long to be interpreted as friendly…but unfortunately she did pull away before they could get started on Practice
She stood up. "I guess we should, you know, get back to the others."
Ron felt himself throb painfully in his jeans. "Uh, you just go ahead. Give me a few minutes, I'll be right down."
She nodded anxiously. As she walked to the door his eyes traveled her form. Fuck, but her curves got more luscious every day. He loved how wild he had made her hair during their kissing.
"Hermione," he called in a choked voice, as she opened the door. She looked back at him with an uneasy expression. "Do you think we could…um…start Practicing…soon?"
Her smile blinded him. In a shy, but seductive voice, she said, "I think that can be arranged." She slipped out of the door.
Ron fell back on the bed.
Holy, fucking shite! Was he dreaming?
He went over the events in his head, smiling broadly, until the ache became unbearable, making him remember why he had stayed behind in the first place.
Taking a deep breath, Ron attempted to call to mind every horrific image he could think of, but it was no use. No image stayed in his mind for more than a split second. All he could think about was her…from potions class to spiders; nothing made the least bit of difference to his current condition.
Sighing, he locked the door and lay back down on the bed. Unzipping his jeans, he let the images of Hermione flow. This time he didn't need a complicated fantasy. This time all it took was the memory of her saying shyly, "I wondered if you'd like to practice with me?"
Harry leaned his cheek against Ginny's knee, feeling lulled by the lilting tones of her voice. Once Ginny started talking, it seemed she couldn't stop. She was a natural storyteller. Even the saddest tale was told with a dark, humorous edge that had him laughing through his tears.
He looked up to see her sitting with her head against Adrianna's shoulder and he felt his heart expand. Ginny couldn't possibly understand what it meant to him for her to let her guard down around his cousin. Something inside him moved.
"What in the name of all things magical is going on in here?" The demand came from the doorway where Mrs. Weasley stood, hands on hips, her eyes shooting ice at her daughter's headrest. The sight of only daughter, tearstained and limp, consorting with the interloper, appeared to be more than she could handle.
Harry felt a wave of fear, mixed with protectiveness. He would not allow her to ruin this. No one was going to ruin this. "We're just talking about Sirius," he said calmly, proud of the even tone of his voice. He had learned that control in Japan.
Mrs. Weasley's eyes narrowed, as she looked accusingly at his cousin.
"Well." The older woman seemed to be waging an intense inner battle. "I think you've had quite enough. I won't have these children upset any further."
Adrianna shook her head slowly. "They're all ready upset. Ignoring is not protecting. They need to talk."
Mrs. Weasley sputtered, "When you're under my roof..."
"I'll obey your rules, but we're not under your roof." Harry knew that the serenity in his cousin's voice had taken years of practice… that it was just a shield. The rage underneath must be a frightening thing. He watched the stand off between Adrianna and Mrs. Weasley with increasing unease.
Ginny raised her head defiantly, the gesture spoiled by the sniffle she couldn't stop. "I want to talk about it. Both of us do." She gestured toward Harry. "It feels good."
"Then by all means we should talk about it…isn't that right, Molly?" Mr. Weasley entered the room from behind his wife. He took her arm gently and led her into the room into a sofa across from them.
Mrs. Weasley sat stiffly, but stayed quiet, probably determined that if she couldn't stop the proceedings, she could at least monitor them.
Harry looked up at his cousin's carefully arranged feature. She said pleasantly to Mr. Weasley, "Do you have a story to share about Sirius, Mr. Weasley?"
He smiled back, kindly. "Indeed I do. Indeed I do."
As Hermione closed the door to the fourth floor bedroom she paused, her hand frozen on the door knob. All the breath left her body and her legs turned to mush. She leaned back against the closed door.
She wasn't sure why Ron had chosen to stay behind, but she was grateful for it, she …needed a minute.
Heavens! Where had that come from? Practice? Really! It was either a stroke of genius or of insanity…probably both.
It had worked perfectly…just the thing she was looking for. Of course, it did make her seem a bit of a slag.
What if she ruined any chance for a relationship, because he lost all respect for her?
Stop. That's ridiculous. She was panicking. Slow down, they were just talking about a few practice kisses. There was nothing slutty or slaggish about kisses.
Though it had felt that way… the kisses they had shared. They were so much more than she had expected. She had expected kissing to be soft, sweet…kind of awkward…affectionate, maybe. She hadn't expected the heat, the rush, these odd liquid sensations that had invaded her body.
She reckoned that was what people made such a big deal over. She'd always thought that they were being quite silly. Maybe there was more to it than she knew…
What was she getting herself into?
Hermione had thought she knew quite a lot about human sexuality… well, not a lot…enough, though. She had read biology books on the subject. Slot A, Tab B and all that…it seemed quite uncomfortable, really. Though it did seem that it must be pleasurable to the man…and she had heard vague references that it can be pleasurable to the woman as well. Hermione just couldn't imagine how it could be.
Yes, she had done her research and been quite satisfied. When her mother had asked her if she had any questions she had honestly answered "no." She'd actually never had a conversation about sex or boys or kissing….
Well, she and Ginny had talked about boys and kissing…but nothing that had prepared her for this. And who else was she to talk to, Harry? Ron? Please. And, honestly, why bother talking about it? There were so many more important things to talk about, to read about, to learn about.
And it wasn't like any boy was going to want to do that with her, any time soon. Well, maybe Viktor….but yuck… really. It just wasn't an issue. She'd been pinning after Ron in one form or another for so long….and things were moving so slowly, she didn't need to…she had been fine with that.
All she had really dreamed about was some hand holding…a tender kiss….a declaration in front of the entire school declaring his undying love for her….maybe a cute little cottage, with a multitude of redheaded babies…in the future of course, the far, far distant future….Anyway, the point was... there was very little physical about her daydreams about Ron.
Though lately, things had been shifting, like her body knew something that her mind didn't. It was reacting instinctively to Ron, even in her dreams, and it was downright terrifying.
She had been completely delusional! Nothing more to know! It wasn't important! There was so much more…and now she was going in blind. She had naively instigated a physical relationship, not knowing what that might really entail. Did she really think she could keep it from getting out of hand? Did she even know what that meant? She certainly hadn't had a clue about kissing…
Well, that's what the Practice is for, dummy!
She giggled hysterically at herself, covering her mouth with both hands. She forced herself to start walking downstairs so she wouldn't alert Ron to the fact that she had gotten stuck outside his door.
As she slipped down the stairs, Hermione nervously reached up to smooth her hair and froze. Holy heavens, it was a rat's nest.
She hurried down the stairs and quickly shut herself in the third floor lavatory. She gasped in horror at her image in the mirror. She looked like a complete slag. Everyone was going to know instantly upon seeing her that she and Ron had been Practicing.
Her already uncontrollable hair was twice as big as usual, sticking up everywhere from having Ron's fingers running through it roughly…Hermione tried to calm it down with her fingers and was horrified to find it one big knot…but at least hair could be combed. She had no idea what she was going to do about her lips which had swollen to twice the size of normal lips. Lightly placing her fingertips on them, she found they were tender to the touch as well.
Staring at the physical evidence of her indiscretion, Hermione felt herself tremble. This seduction thing was a whole lot more than she had anticipated. She closed her eyes remembering the intoxicating feel of his kisses. Oh, yeah, a whole lot more. Heavens, she had been so naive…should she back out now? That would ruin everything…just when things were working out so well. Ron had fallen in with her plan so, well, so enthusiastically.
She giggled again and thought that she really had gone as mental as Ron had been accusing her of being all these years.
It was awfully pleasant though, but intense…really, really intense. It gave her this feeling of losing control. It was terrifying, but the strange part was how amazing the lose of control felt, knowing that Ron was losing control too, that it was just the two of them in a whirlwind. He was all that stood between her and the abyss.
Hermione gathered cold water in her hands and held it to her lips, willing the swelling to subside, then drank it greedily, surprised at how parched she was. She cursed her inability to use magic. She knew a very nice anti-swelling charm.
With wet hands she painstakingly and painfully combed through the tangles. It took forever and left her hair frizzier and larger than it had ever been. Using liberal amounts of water she tried to slick it down.
Great, now she looked like drowned cat!
Frustrated, Hermione pulled her hair back and tied it in a knot at the top of her head. Immediately pieces started to fall out. She was a mess. She really just hated her hair. She had never cared too much about her appearance until now….at least this wasn't one of those mirrors that talked back.
Well, there was nothing more she could do. She couldn't hide up there forever…they'd already left Harry for…
Oh god… how long had it been…he must be furious at them… and he should be…Hermione had been so awfully selfish.
She hurried out the door and down the stairs. Hermione was heading for the foyer when she heard voices coming from the drawing room…and she couldn't believe what she saw there. Well, she needn't have worried about Harry being left alone.
The room was filled with people...almost everyone was there save Ron and Dumbledore. Harry sat on the floor leaning against Adrianna's knees and Ginny sat next to her...her head on his cousin's shoulder…traitor! What were they all doing sitting around so comfortably?
The she listened to the conversation and realized that comfortable wasn't the word for it for what was taking place among them.
Remus was talking with a steady serious voice and everyone was listening intently…oh, god he was talking about Sirius…telling a story from their boyhood.
Hermione suddenly felt weak and cold. She looked around the room again and this time she noticed Tonks and Mrs. Weasley openly weeping. Harry's face was wet but serene. Ginny kept turning her face and wiping her cheeks on Adrianna's shoulder, as if hiding the evidence of her grief.
Heavens, they were having an impromptu memorial service.
She listened awhile longer. It wasn't until she felt the wetness on her own cheeks that she realized she was crying too. Harry looked up and met her eyes. He gave her a warm smile and motioned her into the room. She attempted to smile back at him, while reluctantly stepping into the room. Finding the nearest wall space, she let herself slide to the floor.
Remus finished his story and Tonks started with one of her own.
Hermione knew the moment that Ron came to the doorway. Her eyes were instantly drawn to his confused face. He searched the room and their eyes met. She held out her hand to him and he appreciatively sat next to her.
"What's…" he whispered.
"Shhh, just listen."
They sat like that for hours, listening to story after story and Hermione found herself wiping her eyes on Ron's shoulder.
Harry was woken from his nap by a knock on the door. He stretched and pulled himself out of bed, stumbling over the door. "I hear you, I hear you," he muttered. He opened the door a crack and peaked through, seeing George he blinked blearily at him.
"Oi, Great Adventurer, Mum requests the presence of you and ickle Ronnikins at dinner…. and get a bleedin' move on, we're famished."
Harry rubbed his eyes. "Dinner? What time is it?"
George laughed. "Almost seven….you slept the day away….must still be on American time, or is it Japanese…or Moroccan…"
"I think Morocco is in the same time zone…"
"Whatever, just get your arses in gear, or we'll come in and set your them on fire, literally."
Harry rolled his eyes and closed the door on him. Joking or not, George had been right, the jet lag had been a killer. He painstakingly lit several candles, burning his fingers in the process…cursing the underage magic laws all the while. He wished they could at least have electricity…
He went over to Ron's bed, where he lay undisturbed by his brother's pounding. At least some things never changed. "Hey, Ron, wake up, mate."
Ron only moaned in response. Harry frowned and walked over to him. His friend was sweating and moving restlessly. Harry thought he heard him mutter "Hermione."
His eyes widened. Holy Shite. "Ron, mate, wake up." Then he tried the magic word, "Dinner!"
Nothing, which was concerning.
Ron just shook his heed. "No, no, no, no…..Hermione."
Whatever Hermione was doing to him it sure was intense. Harry chuckled. It seemed he'd better get ok with Ron and Hermione right quick, because they sure weren't waiting on him.
Harry went over and shook him. "Ron, Wake up!" He shook harder.
Ron jerked and blinked, breathing heavy. He looked confused for a moment. "Harry?" He also looked disappointed.
"Hoping for someone else?" Harry asked with a smirk.
"Hmm?" Ron muttered, looking really out of it.
"You all right, mate?" Harry asked, concerned.
"Mmmhmm." His friend rubbed his face as he sat up.
Probably just looove sick, Harry thought. "You were calling for Hermione, you know."
Ron just frowned wearily, he didn't blush as Harry had expected. "Yeah, well. Get used to it."
"Get used to it, huh?" Harry chuckled. Was he finally going to get a confession? Oh, god, was he finally going to get a confession?
"Yeah, since I have nightmares about her every night…used to be naps were ok, but I guess not."
"Nightmares? What is she doing, chasing you around with a homework planner?" Harry teased.
Ron's eyes snapped up, his expression stony. "No," he replied heatedly. "She's dying. Ever damn night she dies."
Harry felt his insides clench painfully, he took in sharp breath. "Shite, Ron…sorry…I…
"Don't worry about it," Ron brushed him off, refusing to meet his eyes.
Harry felt that familiar gut wrenching remorse. He had never been there to help his friends deal with the aftermath of The Department of Mysteries, even before he had run away with Adrianna. He searched for something to say. In the end he fumbled… "What can I do…?"
"Do…"
"You know, to help with the nightmares?" It was a silly thing to ask. As someone plagued by nightmares, he knew they couldn't be helped.
Ron was shaking his head. "Nothing helps. I just need…" He trailed off, closing his eyes.
Hermione. Harry finished Ron's sentence for him mentally. There was the Harry's gut twisted with jealousy and loss…Ron didn't need him….he needed Hermione. Was that Harry's fault for not being available or was it just an inevitable part of growing up? A bloke's girl was just more important than his best mate….and Hermione was both to Ron.
How could Harry compete with that?
"Is that why you were at Hermione's the night of the attack?"
Ron looked at him with a bewildered expression and Harry realized that he was trying to keep up with the leap in the conversation. Harry had gotten used to his thoughts being heard over the last few months.
But Ron did catch up. "Yeah, that's why I went."
"So, it wasn't for a snog fest then?" Harry joked, hoping to get the conversation back on familiar grounds.
But when Ron blushed tomato red Harry felt a naive sense of astonishment. "Was there a snog fest?"
Ron choked before he finally answered. "Well, I wouldn't call it a fest exactly…" he confessed carefully.
Harry fell into a seated position on his own bed, facing Ron. He was ashamed to say he sounded like a six year old girl when he said, "You kissed her?" His voice was filled with a girly awe.
"Not exactly…she…Doesn't matter. Yesterday I kissed her…this morning rather." Ron looked anxious and eager, like he'd needed a good confession for a long time.
Harry didn't know how he felt about being the confidant. Not on this particular subject, anyway. "Wow, that's….wow…You're together, then?"
He didn't think Ron could blush any redder, but he did. "No…we're…um… we're just practicing…."
What? Harry was stunned …and outraged. Hermione was his best mate, as well. He couldn't just let someone take advantage of her, even if it was Ron. "What!"
"It was her idea, mate, I swear…the relationship thing never came up. She probably realizes I'm not good enough for her…"
Harry stared at him in alarm. "Ron, you're not…."
"We both know I'm not…just… I don't want to talk about that. Promise, you won't say anything, 'specially to Hermione?" Ron looked sad and anxious.
Harry took pity on Ron… and himself…this was way out of Harry's expertise. "Um...of, course, mate…so, dinner's ready."
Ron looked relieved. "Oh, good then, brilliant!"
The boys scrambled out of bed and out of the room. Harry noticed his cousin's open door across the hall and walked over. Standing in the doorway he found her staring distractedly into the mirror of her armoire. He noticed she hadn't wasted any time transfiguring the room the way she liked.
"Hey, you ready for dinner?" he asked her.
She looked over at him and gave him a preoccupied smile. "You go along. I'll be down soon." She was twirling a ring on her finger.
Harry frowned. She seemed distressed or something. He noticed she had washed and changed. She was wearing a skirt now…it seemed a bit odd. "All right?"
"Mmmhmm." She pulled off the ring and dropped it in the drawer. She picked up her hair brush and started brushing her long hair. "Fine."
Ron came up behind. "Oi, we going?" he asked.
Harry nodded, still frowning at Adrianna, who was now brushing her hair in slow motion. "Did they say something to you in the dinning room?" Maybe she just didn't want to face Mrs. Weasley again, Harry thought.
She shook her head. "I'm fine, honest. I'll be there in a minute." She gave him a slightly more convincing smile.
Harry nodded reluctantly and headed down the hall with Ron. Once they were out of hearing distance his friend asked, "Is Adrianna always so…"
Distracted? Out of it? Odd?
"No, no she's not.
Ginny was feeling well rested and strangely content after the events of this morning and a nice long nap. She'd be lying to herself if she said a significant part of her newfound calm didn't have anything to do with Harry being safe and sound under the same roof as her.
But she wasn't going to dwell on that.
Besides, her good mood gave her the perfect opportunity to find full amusement in Hermione, who was anxiously arranging and rearranging the table settings, all the while taking great care to avoid Mrs. Weasley's gaze.
The reason was obvious to anyone who'd ever had a particularly vigorous snogging session. Ginny suppressed a giggle.
She caught Hermione's arm as she flurried past her and pulled the flustered girl into the seat next to her. She handed Hermione a glass of ice water. "Here," she whispered without trying to hide her glee. "Suck on some ice. It will help with the swelling."
Hermione gasped and her hand flew to her bee-stung lips. This time Ginny couldn't hold back her laugh. "Find something to do besides row, have you?" she asked cheekily.
"Shhh!" Hermione gestured madly. "Keep your voice down…your mum."
Ginny's eye's wandered over to where her mother was clanging unnecessarily around the kitchen. She slammed a bowl that Dobby had enchanted to self-stir onto the table, causing the contents to slosh over the side. "You're under a lucky star tonight. Mum's too busy hating Adrianna to notice your indiscretions."
"You think so?" Hermione asked hopefully, sipping water and sucking ice into her mouth.
"Oh, yeah," Ginny said with a grin. "I'd focus my full worry on the twins."
Hermione's eyes flew to the door where Fred and George were wandering in, joking amongst themselves. She looked down quickly, sucking her lips into her mouth.
Ginny laughed uproariously, earning questioning looks from the twins as they sat at the end of the table.
Oh, what to do? Continue to torture Hermione and later her brother…allowing the twins to join in the fun…? Or hold off and keep the knowledge to herself…?
Both had such possibilities.
Crack.
Ginny was distracted by her favorite older brother Apparating into the kitchen. Well, she had a lot of favorites… except Percy that is. "Charlie!" she called getting up and hugging him happily. "What are you doing here?"
But Charlie was tense and distracted, he was yelling even as he hugged her back. "Mum, what the hell is going on here?"
"Language dear," Molly chastised, smiling, as she wiped her hands on her apron and approached him.
Charlie ignored her words. "I return from assignment to a pile of owls…Ron's kidnapped…Ginny's Stupefied…found Ron…Harry's kidnapped…Death Eaters at The Burrow…had to move to headquarters…"
Molly took his head in her hands and kissed his check, ignoring the raving as if he weren't even talking.
"What is…oh, well, here are Ron and Harry…looking well…I must say…not at all kidnapped." He glared at his mother.
"Well, the kidnapper returned him this morning," she replied lightly.
"I was not kidnapped!" Harry defended heatedly. "I chose to go with her for the summer…"
"Sit down dear...it's all right," Molly soothed.
"Go with who, Harry?" Charlie asked shaking his head.
"Go with me…" Adrianna appeared in the doorway. "Hello, Charlie. Been a while."