Chapter 15: Moving On
"Ron I…" Hermione looked up and froze with a start realizing that she was standing alone in her front hall. "Ron!" she called as she ran to the front door flinging it open, and being instantly blinded by the sun glaring off the snow. "Ron!" She cried as she ran into the ice slicked street, loosing her footing and almost falling in her haste. "Ron!" She skidded to a halt and looked down the street to her left and then to her right. Her heart fell to the pit of her stomach. It was too late. Ron was gone.
Feeling bewildered, defeated and lost, Hermione stared unseeingly down the deserted street, absently pressing her fingers to her slightly swollen, kiss tender lips. She didn't know what to make of the events of the morning. Everything she had known as truth was being contradicted by things she was learning. How was she supposed to make sense of anything when it didn't make any sense?
Fred and George were alive? She still couldn't believe that was possible. While she did feel acute relief and joy with the news, she couldn't help but be angry that she had been left in the dark for so long. How could that have let her believe for almost three days that… even now the guilt weighed heavily on her.
And what was Ron thinking? It was not her fault he had called her a Mudblood. Or at least that was what she tried to tell herself. But the more she thought about it the more unsure she became. What if she really had called Ron a weasel and a pauper? Hermione pushed the idea aside. It was too horrendous to even consider. Because if what Ron had said was true then she had made a horrible mistake. A mistake so ghastly it may have cost her not only his friendship, but if his actions of the day were any indication, then perhaps his love as well. Hermione shook her head dispelling the foolish idea. That wasn't possible. One did not call the person they fancy a Mudblood. But then again, if Ron was to be believed, she had called the boy she fancied a weasel and a pauper.
Hermione groaned as a fresh wave of pain built behind her eyes. It was all so complicated and confusing. She didn't know what to believe anymore or where she could go for answers. She couldn't find what she needed in a book this time. If only she could talk to Ester. She was very good at sorting out people's thoughts and emotions. Suddenly Hermione found herself missing her friend and the aura of calm and understanding she radiated. She needed Ester's guidance now more then ever.
"Hermione!" Her mother's voice called from the depths of the house disturbing the frenzied thoughts still racing about in her brain. "Hermione?" She appeared in the doorway. "Why is the door open? What are you doing out here?" Her lips turned down in a frown. "Really Hermione. It's nearly 10:30. Dumbledore will be here any moment and your school things are still spread across the hall."
Hermione gave a final look down the street before turning with Ron's present tucked under her arm and followed her mother into the house. Mrs. Granger went on to the kitchen while Hermione walked to her trunk using her wand to turn it upright before kneeling before it. Hastily she began throwing her belongings in wanting to finished before Dumbledore arrived.
Hermione jumped with fright when the front doorbell rang for the second time that morning. She looked up her face a mask of horror. She was only half finished packing her trunk and he was here.
"I'll answer it!" She called anxiously to her mother in the kitchen as she rose to her feet, brushing her hands against her robes. Reaching the door she flung it open to reveal the headmaster standing there in his proper muggle attire. Though surprisingly flattering Hermione thought he looked utterly bizarre. She had only ever seen him in his wizarding robes and a grey pinned-stripped suit did not fit within that model she had formed for him in her mind.
"Headmaster." She greeted finally, shaking herself out of her surprised stupor.
"Miss Granger." Dumbledore smiled at the young girl. "How wonderful to see you again."
Hermione smiled tentatively as she stepped aside giving him access to her home. "Won't you come in?"
The old wizard smiled back as he stepped through the portal into the brightly lit hallway. He stopped suddenly and turned, eyes twinkling. "Ahh. I see I have arrived too early."
Hermione blushed red with humiliation. "I had everything packed sir, I swear." She stammered. "I was bringing my trunk down the stairs when I lost control and…" She gestured to the remaining books and robes still lying scattered on the floor.
"Not to worry, Miss Granger." Dumbledore assured her as he turned back to the pile. Hermione wasn't certain where he had been storing it, but the next moment he had his wand in hand and was waving it over her belongings and they rose gracefully from the floor and landed neatly in her trunk. The lid closed with a smart click and the latches slid into place. "Excellent." Dumbledore gave his wand another graceful wave causing the trunk to glow and hum for a few moments until settling once again on the flower. "There." He turned back to Hermione. "One less think to worry about."
Hermione turned at the sound of her mother coming from the kitchen, towel tossed over her shoulder and her father coming down the stairs from his own privet study, book in hand.
"You're leaving then?" Mrs. Granger asked her daughter sadly, holding her arms open for Hermione to step into. "I'll miss you love." She murmured in her daughter's ear as she hugged her close.
"I'll miss you too, mum."
"Have a wonderful second term." Mrs. Granger released Hermione so that she could turn and fling herself in her father's waiting arms.
Mr. Granger pulled her tight to him and kissed the crown of her head. "I love you, Poppet."
"I love you too, dad." She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before pulling away to once again face the Headmaster. "I'm ready." She sighed giving the hall one last look to make sure she hadn't missed anything in her haste.
Dumbledore nodded. "Well Miss Granger." He extended his hand. "Enjoy the rest of your stay."
Hermione took his long fingered hand and shook it. "Thank you, Headmaster. I will."
"When you're ready then."
After promising her parents several times that she would write frequently she took a deep breath and took hold of her trunk handle. She felt the familiar tug behind her naval and the sensation of being pitched forward, spinning through space.
Harry and Ginny were alone in the sitting room playing an equally matched game of chess. The rest of the family was scattered about the house doing various activities. Fred and George had taken over the attic and had turned it into their own private laboratory and were up there now perfecting various inventions for the orders use. Bill and Charlie had disappeared with their perspective girlfriends several hours ago and no one had seen hide or hair of them since. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Proffesors Snape and McGonagall, Lupin and Mad Eye were tucked away in the kitchen, discussing matters that were 'unsuitable' for Harry and Ginny's tender ears.
Which is why the two teenagers were held up in the sitting room now playing chess and pretending not to notice the other glancing at each other periodically. Harry, of course, was rather annoyed that the adults had excluded him once again, but found that Ginny was doing an admiral job of keeping his mind otherwise occupied.
When Ron slinked into the room and slumped dejectedly into the nearest armchair, dropping his rucksack at his feet, Harry and Ginny glanced at each other then at him. Almost as one they bound to their feet, knocking the chess board over in their haste, causing the small pieces to fall to the floor, screaming with indignation.
Ignoring the shrieking chess pieces Harry rushed to his friend, knowing as soon as he had entered the room that things hadn't gone as they had hoped. "Ron?" he asked uncertainly.
The red haired youth looked up at his friend and smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, Harry."
Harry slunk back in surprise. "What? What for?"
"For being a terrible friend." What ever answer Harry had been expecting it wasn't that. "I know I've been a moody git all year," Ron explained, "and I haven't really been there for you." He pounded his fist on the arm of the chair in emphasis. "But I'm not going to let that happen anymore."
Ginny gapped astonished at her brother. "Bloody hell, Ron. What happened?"
"Nothing." Ron looked sadly into her brown eyes. He shook his head desolately. "I might as well not even have gone for all the good it did." Harry and Ginny remained silent as they watched Ron's brow scrunch together, a sign that he was deep in thought. "That's it then." He said nodding, obviously coming to a decision. He looked up at his best friend and his little sister. "Who wants to play me in a game of Wizard's Chess?"
When neither responded but continued to gape at him as if he had gone mental, Ron pushed himself to his feet. "Come on Harry, Ginny. How am I supposed to prove to you I've turned over a new leaf if neither of you will play chess with me?"
"A new leaf?" Harry questioned. "What are you talking about?"
Ron sighed knowing he would have to explain himself further. "I haven't been fare to you, mate. Hermione said something to me today that got me thinking. She said that I had done a fine enough job myself ruining our friendship. And she was right. I've been ignoring you and everyone else since August. And I'm not going to do it anymore. If you have to kill V-Voldemort," he still stuttered and cringed at the name, "I guess I can be there and help you any way I can. If that means that I have to provide you with a little comic relief, then I will. So," he clapped his hands together with a loud smack. "Who wants me to trounce them in chess?"
Unsure of what to make of Ron's sudden change in mood Harry accepted his challenge and settled for what he was sure would be a swift and deadly match between himself and his best mate.
Ron settled back in his chair after thoroughly thrashing Harry for a fourth game. He let his eyes look over Harry and Ginny. Surprising even himself her asked.
"Why don't you tell me about Rane Voitekh?"
Harry and Ginny both started with surprise. Ron had avoided the subject of Hermione's exchange partner as fiercely as he had the person. Neither could fathom what on earth would posses him to ask about her now. Harry lifted a suspicious eyebrow which caused Ron to chuckled with ill humored understanding. "I guess I've come to realize that it's not her fault that Hermione left."
"And it took you this long to figure that out?" Ginny cried punching him playfully, though surprisingly hard, on the arm.
Ron rubbed the tender spot she had left with exaggeration. "Leave off, Ginny." He whined dramatically, nudging her back with his shoulder. "Seriously, what is she like?"
Harry settled back in his seat, Ginny taking a new seat next to him, suspiciously close though Harry was the only one to notice. He felt heat rush to his face when she shifted in her seat and her knee bumped against his. Swallowing audibly Harry began, "She's really nice and outgoing." He racked his brain for more things to say in her favour but found to his dismay that it was surprisingly blank, all thoughts having fled it at Ginny's touch. "She's very smart." He stammered when he realized that he had been quiet for to long and Ron was beginning to watch him funny. "If you hadn't been so stubborn about being set against her I'm sure you would really like her."
Ron nodded. "Then I guess I'm going to have to give her a chance, aren't I?"
And true to his word Ron did give her a chance, much to the surprise of not only Gryffindor but the rest of the school. As soon as he returned to Hogwarts at the end of the holiday he set out in search of Rane. He found her tucked away in the corner of the common room at one of the many tables, nose buried deep in a book. Taking a deep breath to bolster his confidence, Ron strode purposefully forward and stopped at her elbow.
"Hello Rane." The Bulgarian girl looked up in surprise at the sound of Ron's voice. "Could I join you?"
Rane nodded dumbly and moved aside a stack of books and extra parchment making room for Ron. Feeling awkward he pulled out the extra chair, dropping his bag of books on the table. He sank into the chair and scooted it forward, stalling for time as he tried to think of something suitable to say to the girl he had ignored all year.
Rane waited patiently as Ron readied himself, tilting her head to the side to better observe him. She forced her lips to say straight as she watched him several times open his mouth to speak only to close it shut again with a snap. Growling with exasperation he ran his fingers through his hair causing it to stand on end.
Taking pity on him Rane reached out and set a friendly hand on his arm. "It's all right, Ron."
"I wasn't… I mean, how did you know I was going to apologize?"
Rane smiled knowingly, twitching her eyebrows up playfully. "Magic."
Ron rolled his eyes at her pathetic attempt at a joke. "Yes well, I really am sorry for ignoring you. It was really very rude."
"Like I said before, there really is no need. I understand."
"You do?"
Rane nodded slowly. "Probably better then you realize." She said on hushed breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." She dismissed his question on a bright note. "I was just talking to myself. It's a bad habit I have, I know. But…" she shrugged. "What are you going to do?"
Ron couldn't help but chuckle. "I don't know." Shaking his head he reached for his bag readying himself to stand up. "Well, I should go work on some last minute assignments. They won't get done if I don't start them." Ron stopped halfway between rising, a peculiar look on his face. "Gods. I'm starting to sound like Hermione."
"You could stay here and study with me if you like."
Ron contemplated her suggestion for a moment before nodding and resettling himself in his seat. He set his bag on the table and pulled from inside it his charms book. He opened it to the right page and propped it against the stack of books and parchment Rane had moved aside moments ago. He pulled out his half completed essay checked a fact in the book and set to work filling the rest of the parchment.
Rane stared at the red haired boy for several minutes making him shift awkwardly under her penetrating stare. "What?" He asked finally looking up.
Rane smiled and turned back to her book. "Nothing."
Ron waited for her to explain but when she continued to ignore him in favour or reading her book Ron was forced to return to his own work, a satisfied grin on his face. There was something familiar and comforting about Rane's actions. But he didn't question it.
Several hours later Harry came down to the common room looking for Ron. He had expected his friend to come to bed several hours ago. What he saw when he reached the common room made him pause first in surprise before smiling with happiness. Ron was still sitting next to Rane, his Charms assignment forgotten in front of him. The two were locked deep in discussion, the subject of which Harry was unsure of.
Instead of interrupting them Harry turned around on the stair and went back up to his dorm and climbed into bed. He didn't here Ron come in until after one.
Harry noticed a drastic change in his friend over the next few days. While before break Ron had avoided most girls, particularly Rane, like they were a resurgence of the plague, he was now seen conversing with them quiet frequently between classes in the hall, or at meals in the Great Hall. And it had also become part of his daily routine to work on his assignments with Rane at the same table in the corner of the common room. However, the most astounding spectacle to see, most would agree, would be the rare occasions Ron was seen sitting with an entire group of giggling girls talking about some of his more spectacular moves on the Quiditch pitch.
While Ron had returned to a state close to his formal self he still didn't smile, or laugh or even joke as much as he use to. Most blamed his quiet state on the death of his older brothers, everyone knew how close the Weasley's were after all. But it was also decided that at some point during the holidays Ron had finally gotten over Hermione Granger. That along with most of the schools need to console Ron on the loss of his brothers caused a resurgence in the attempts of the fairer sex in their pursuit of the youngest, and decidedly most handsome, Weasley brother.
Lavender Brown alone had not only doubled, but tripled her attempts to win over Ron's affection. It was almost a guarantee that wherever Lavender was she was within eyesight of Ron. It was now a running joke in Gryffindor that if you ever needed to find Lavender you need only look for an obvious crop of red hair.
It didn't bother Harry that Ron was receiving so much attention. He had always understood his friends need to stand out, to be known apart from his family. No, what bothered Harry was the way Ron was handling it. In the past Ron would blush crimson if a pretty girl looked at him twice, now Lavender was placing her hand on his arm or shoulder, and if she was feeling especially daring, his thigh, regularly and Ron no more noticed this then he would if a fly landed on him. Harry couldn't understand it. It was as if Ron didn't even realize that a good portion of the people flocking around him were in fact girls. Or maybe, Harry realized with a start, he did notice…but just didn't care.
