Omg. You guys, your reviews kicked ass! I almost cried thank you so so much. And, M.K. Slade you can most definitely put that quote in your profile, I'm glad you appreciated it. Welp, here's the next chappie. Enjoy!
"Lovely dinner, Molly dear." Mr. Weasley said, kissing his wife on the cheek. The table all nodded in agreement except for Fluer. "Oh you cook well enough, Mrs. Weazley," She said. "But all zis eenglesh cooking is far too fattening, I want to keep my figure for ze wedding." She finished, smiling at Bill whose face seemed to be getting much better.
Mrs. Weasley promptly turned puce. "I'll just-er gather up the dishes, shall I?" She stumbled to her feet, collecting all the empty plates. Hermione jumped up and joined her as everyone else began to leave the room. I'll just quickly help Mrs. Weasley and then meet Ron in the garden. She thought as she brought some leftover chicken into the kitchen. She began to wash dishes. "Oh that's all right, Hermione, dear." Mrs. Weasley said, bustling about the room. "I don't need any help."
Hermione resisted the urge to bolt from the room. "Are you sure?"
"Oh yes, of course. Go have fun." She winked as though she knew what Hermione was up to.
"Okay…well, if you need me I'll be in the garden reading." She lied.
"Alright, dearie." She said humming along to the new Weird Sisters song.
Hermione stepped out into the night, feeling the cool summer breeze on her face. She rubbed her arms, wishing she'd brought a jacket, but unwilling to go back inside to get one. She looked from side to side, trying to decide where to look for Ron first when a strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind.
Harry quietly passed by the living room where the Weasleys and Fluer were talking and laughing. He climbed the stairs to his room, lost in thought of the journey ahead of him. He flopped onto his bed, racking his brain for what the final horocrux could be and how they would find the others now that Dumbledore was gone….He sighed, kicked off his trainers and laid back in bed. His teenage mind wandered to Ginny despite himself. She'd looked so beautiful when he'd regained consciousness. He hated the thought of not being with her and hurting her. But he couldn't do it. He couldn't put her in that danger. Maybe when all this was over….
Someone cleared their throat from the doorway. Harry jumped and looked up, seeing Ginny hanging onto his doorframe and looking irresistible for the second time that day. "Hi, Harry." She said softly.
Ron pressed his face into Hermione's neck from behind. "Guess who?" He whispered. Hermione felt the heat creep up her face at his affection. She giggled, turned around, and then pouted. "Oh…I thought it was someone handsomer."
"I think you mean 'more handsome'." He replied, in his best Hermione impression.
She laughed. "Yeah yeah, so what was it you wanted to talk to me about, Ron?"
"Well, come on," He said leading towards the swings. She sat down and he moved behind the swing so he could push her. He cleared his throat. "Now that it's time to tell you, I don't think I can." He chuckled.
"Ginny," He said, getting up from his bed. "Hi."
She stepped into the room, looking nervous. "I really need to talk to you." She said, her confidence rising. Why was she so scared anyway? This was Harry. And besides, she was a Weasley. Weasleys were brace. Well, except for maybe Percy….She shook her head and looked up at Harry.
He put his hand behind his head and rubbed his neck uncomfortably. It took every fiber in his body to resist pulling her into his arms and telling her he loved her, by he pushed away the temptation for her own good.
He had a strong will but he knew he couldn't hold it for much longer. He remembered the way her small hand felt in his, the taste of her lips, her laugh and the smell of her hair. He wanted to experience those things all over again but he knew what would happen if he did that. Every person he loved had been ripped away from him by Voldemort. He couldn't let that happen again. Not to her. Not if he could help it.
He looked away from her face. "Ginny, I can't talk about this right now." He finally looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry." He said, feeling more sincere than he ever had in his life.
Ginny's eyebrows furrowed, she heaved a big sigh. Harry could tell he hurt her and he truly regretted it. "Okay," She said. "Maybe later." And she walked from the room.
"Whatever it is, Ron, you can tell me. I'll understand." Hermione said as Ron continued to gently push her. Abruptly, he pulled the swing backwards so her back was pressed against his chest. She turned her head to the left to get a better look at him. He leaned forward, their noses almost touching.
"I've being thinking…we're going on that trip soon. And it'll be dangerous. I wouldn't want to-well d-…get hurt without saying everything I wanted to say." He said softly.
Hermione felt her eyes begin to water at the thought of Ron dying. "What is it you wanted to say?"
They heard the back door slam shut and they both simultaneously sighed. "Oh, Hermione! Thank Merlin! Mum told me you were out here." Ginny threw herself into the grass and, oblivious to the moment she'd just interrupted, launched into a rant about Harry.
Ron silently moved to the other swing. He noticed Hermione's arm dangling at her side. He sat down, and casually dropped his own arm, brushing his hand against hers. The two listened to Ginny intently, their pinkies intertwined.