Chapter 22: The Box, The Mirror and the Owlrey
It seemed nothing on earth could possibly be faster then the Hogwarts rumor mill. Several minutes after they had heard Seamus, Dean and Neville scamper back down the dormitory staircase, Ron and Rane decided it was well past time for them to return to their assignments.
When they reached the Gryffindor common room they were greeted with a multitude of varying reactions. Rane was met with many evil glares, the most threatening coming from Lavender Brown who was sitting in a corner with Parvati who was trying her best to console her friend, while casting an apologetic look toward Rane; as well as obnoxious snickers from bowed heads behind straight hands. Ron for the most part however, was given the nod of approval from many of the blokes as well as looks of admiration and pride from some of the younger students.
From the corner of his eye Ron saw that Neville, still red faced and flushed from embarrassment, was rising from the table where Harry and Ginny were sitting. The two watched Neville a moment, mouths hanging wide until they felt Ron's eyes on them. Ron could tell that Harry's mind was working furiously behind his glasses. Finally the emerald eyed boy nodded his head towards the portrait hole, indicating that his friend should join him outside. Ron watched as his sister reached out and placed a halting hand on Harry's arm, her eyes looking questioningly into his. Harry leaned in long enough to whisper something in Ginny's ear before he straightened and walked toward the exit.
Ron took just enough time to murmur where he was going to Rane, causing his fellow Gryffindors to lean together further and fill the air with their fresh giggles. Obviously they took his actions as confirmation of what had happened up in the sealed dorm room. Ron rolled his eyes before slipping out the portrait hole and joining Harry in the hall.
He found his friend leaning, arms crossed, against the wall a short distance down the hallway from the portrait of the fat lady, who was leaning precariously forward in her chair, trying to afford herself a position that she could over hear what would be said without leaving her post in the portrait.
Harry scowled down at his crossed ankles as Ron approached, not bothering to look up at him. Ron stopped several paces away and joined Harry against the wall. He could tell his friend was upset, but whether it was because of what happened up stairs or something else he was unsure.
Harry took several deep breaths trying to find the words to say what he needed to say. "Rane… She's a nice girl, Ron." He finally managed, looking up into his friend's confused blue eyes. "I don't want to see her hurt."
Ron stiffened with slight indignation. "Neither do I."
"That's good." Harry pushed away from the wall. "But that's not what has me worried."
"Harry…"
Harry held up a forceful hand. "I don't know what's going on with you anymore, Ron. I don't know what happened between you and Hermione and I don't know what happened up in that dorm room. But I do know you, and I know you wouldn't do anything…inappropriate. And I know you would never deliberately try and hurt anyone… But that doesn't change the fact that the rest of the school doesn't know you as well as I do and by morning, thanks to Seamus, Dean and Neville, every student is going to think something did happen up there. And…and…people might get hurt."
Ron's jaw firmed as he straightened from his leaning position against the wall. He wasn't daft. He knew exactly what 'people' Harry was referring too. "Yes, well…why don't you let me worry about that? It's between us after all, isn't it?"
Ron turned to walk back to the common room but Harry's voice calling his name stopped him. He turned slowly to look back at his friend. "Wh…what exactly did happen up there?" Looking closely he could see the curiosity burning behind the annoyance in Harry's eyes.
Ron's brows arched suggestively but his lips remained obstinately closed.
"I'm your best mate." Harry implored. "You can tell me anything."
"I know." Ron shrugged dismissively. "There's nothing to tell." His eyes twinkled with mischief as he turned and walked back towards the portrait hole.
The portrait bearing the fat lady burst open suddenly and banged against the wall with a loud crash, its occupant giving out a screech of fury just as Ron reached it. With a painful oomph Ginny tumbled out and into Ron, who caught her and helped her gain her footing. She thanked him sweetly as she pushed the fiery locks of her hair back from her eyes.
"I was actually coming out here to get you both." She looked between Harry and Ron. Harry used his hand to stifle his laughter. He could see the curiosity burning behind the younger girl's dark eyes. "A package just arrived for us from Mum." She stared at them pointedly. "I think its stuff Fred and George were, you know, working on before…" she broke off, aware that the fat lady was straining to listen to them from the other side of the door.
Ron nodded. "Right." He stepped past Ginny and climbed through the portrait gap leaving his best friend and little sister alone in the hall.
"So?" Ginny's eyes lit up with curiosity when the door swung closed. "What happened? I mean, did Neville really find them…?"
Harry continued to stare at the wall Ron had disappeared through. His mind was buzzing with thought. He couldn't understand why his friend was being so curiously quiet. It wasn't as if Harry would go telling the whole school what Ron had told him in confidence. There had to be something else. Some other reason why his best mate was being so stubbornly mute.
"I'm not certain." Harry's eyes scrunched together. "I know he fancies her, at least a little bit. But…I don't know." He shook his head before looking into Ginny's observant brown eyes. "He wasn't happy enough to have just come from a good snogging, but he wasn't nearly depressed enough to have been turned down by her."
Ginny's brow furrowed in thought. "So what do you think happened?"
Harry looked away. "I don't know." He shrugged. "But we should go back in before Ron does something stupid like open the box in front of everyone."
Without thinking, Harry placed his hand in the small of Ginny's back and guided her forward towards the fat lady, who was waiting impatiently for them at the end of the corridor. It wasn't until they were a few steps a way and he saw her smirk knowingly at them that Harry realized where his hand was resting. He snatched it away just as Ginny gave the password and the portrait swung open revealing the entrance. Harry tucked his hand into his pocket, a slight smile lingering on his lips. He could still feel the heat of her back in his palm.
Ginny had just set down her foot to step up through the hole when she stopped and turned back to Harry. "Do you think we should tell Hermione?"
Harry paused a moment to consider her question. "Do you think we should?"
Ginny bent her head to the side, her eyes staring blindly at his face while her lips twitched in thought. "I think we should." She looked up into Harry's emerald green eyes and felt a tightening in her stomach that she felt every time she looked at him. "It'll be easier coming from us."
"So you think she…"
"Yeah." Ginny nodded, not needing to hear the rest of his question. "I've shared a room with her for the past three summers. She does."
Harry sighed heavily and motioned Ginny to step through. "That's what I thought."
Harry and Ginny had decided it would be better to tell Hermione together, in person would be best, but since that was not an option at the present time they decided to use the mirror instead. It was after all almost like talking to her in person. Now they just needed to find a way to get away from Ron.
Now that he knew of the mirror and he and Hermione were corresponding with each other regularly, Hermione every day, Ron when he felt like it, there was no longer a need to hide the fact that they used the mirror to talk to her. Ron still scowled at the sight of the oblong piece of glass, but never made any comment to its existence. But seeing as the thing they wished to tell her was about Ron, they decided it would be best if he weren't present when they did so.
Ron's enthusiasm over what they found in the package however kept them occupied for the rest of the night as the three went through all the weapons of stealth in the box. There were rings for wearing that when the gem was turned would give off an intense blinding light for anyone excluding the wearer. There were quills that when snapped in half would fill the room with a heavy fog, Chocolate Frogs that when activated would attack, and rolls of parchment that were enchanted to work as shields.
Ron's favorite were the packages of Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans that when stepped on would cast the tripping jinx, while Harry favored another set of rings he found deep in the pile. As soon as he realized their use he handed one to both of the red heads, insisting that they both put one on immediately. All one had to do, he explained when they stared at his curiously, was wear the ring on the wand hand, give it a tap with the tip of their wand, and it would act as a sort of real. Harry had both Ron and Ginny test his ring by casting accio charms to call his wand. The piece of wood barely reached the edge of his finger tips when the ring called it back. The only down side they discovered was that the ring needed time to recharge after each save as its efficiency at calling back the wand lessened with each attempt. Still, Harry thought, this ring could make the difference in a life and death situation.
Harry and Ginny themselves had become so enthralled with the objects they found in the box that they weren't even aware how late it was until after an enormous yawn accompanied by a long stretch on Ginny's part, a sight that drew Harry's attention immediately and held it captured until she slumped into a chair with exhaustion, drew their attention to the time. It was a quarter past midnight, far too late to try and contact Hermione that night. And despite himself, Harry couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He dreaded the look he would see on Hermione's face when they told her about Ron and Rane.
As it was Harry and Ginny couldn't find a chance to contact her until the next eveing after dinner when Ron was once again tucked away in the corner with Rane. They had been working on their Transfiguration homework but now they were sitting with their heads bowed together, Rane was holding his hand and they were both looking down. Whatever they were discussing they both had a very serious look on their face.
Deciding that Ron was far to engrossed with Rane at the moment to notice if she and Harry slipped away for a short while, Ginny placed her hand gently on his wrist to draw his attention. Harry turned his head just enough so that he was looking at her. "Do you have the mirror?" She questioned. Harry nodded, patting his pocket where the mirror was stowed. "We should do it now while he's distracted."
Harry glanced over at Ron and Rane and his eyes narrowed with annoyance. He closed his book with a loud thud causing the people sitting near by to glance over at him with curiosity. He ignored the stares to stuff his book and parchment in his bag. "Might as well." He muttered when the last pair of staring eyes returned to their own work. He stood up and Ginny followed suit. "What do you think her reaction is going to be?" Harry asked as he held the door open for Ginny to step through.
She waited until the portrait swung closed behind them and they were well away from the fat lady's prying ears before speaking. "It's hard to say, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well," she took a moment to compose her thoughts, "I think a part of her is hoping or maybe counting on the fact that despite everything that happened Ron is incredibly loyal. And he's stubborn. He wrote a letter to her every day for months for Merlin's sake."
"But?" Harry asked, knowing one was coming.
"But… Hermione is nothing if she's not logical and it would be completely naive of her to believe that after all that she put him through that he wouldn't try and move on."
"Yes," Harry agreed, "but why now?" he stopped mid step forcing Ginny to halt as well and look back at him. "Why would he decide to pursue Rane now when things are finally starting to get back on track with Hermione? He's going to ruin everything all over again."
"I don't know." She shrugged, brushing the thick sheet of copper hair over her shoulder. "He might be my brother, but you're his best friend. You know him better then I do."
"You've known him longer." Harry objected childishly.
Ginny rolled her eyes dramatically. "As if that matters." She slipped her arm through his and tugged him into movement. "Ron and I haven't been close since he left for school and met you. And don't you go saying something stupid like you're sorry." Harry sheepishly closed his lips, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red for indeed that was what he was about to do. "As if it's your fault Ron and I stopped being close." She stopped to peer around the frame of an open door, "This one's open." She tugged Harry inside one of the empty classrooms and pushed the door closed.
As Harry dug through his pocket for the mirror, Ginny imperviated the door. It wasn't that they needed to hide what they were doing, but she didn't want someone barging in halfway through when Hermione was going to be undoubtedly emotional. Ginny just hoped Ester wasn't so involved in Bjorn now that she no longer had time to be there for Hermione.
"Ready?" Harry asked, holding his wand raised, ready to tap the mirror at her nod.
Nodding, Ginny walked briskly forward and hoisted herself up on to the table so that she sat directly behind Harry who had taken a seat on one of the many benches set into neat rows.
Harry's wand made a sharp tapping sound as it made contact with the glass and the pane began to glow the familiar misty white. Ginny leaned forward to get a better look at the mirror and simultaneously placed her hand on Harry's shoulder causing a tingle of sensation to shoot down his spine and up her arm. Harry glanced back and their eyes caught. He flashed her an awkward smile just before he turned back to the mirror at the sound of Hermione's voice.
"Harry! Ginny!" She sounded surprised at seeing the both of them. "What's wrong?" Her voice lowered when she saw the frowns of concern on each of their faces. "What happened?"
Harry opened his mouth to respond but was halted by the feel of Ginny's hand squeezing his shoulder. He turned to look back at her and saw that her brow was furrowed in thought.
"Harry…maybe I should tell her alone."
"Why?" he lowered the mirror into his lap as he turned further to better face her. "I thought that we agreed we should tell her together."
"I know we did, but I changed my mind." She reached forward to extract the mirror from Harry's hand. "I think I should tell her alone."
"Tell me what?" Hermione asked sternly, her concern rising as Harry and Ginny ignored her, continuing to debate whether they should tell her together or not.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake." When Ginny could stand his arguments no further, she clamped a hand over Harry's mouth and held it in place, muffling his voice as he continued to protest. "Will you shut up for a minute so I can get a word in?" Rolling her eyes she let her hand drop from Harry's mouth and turned away, lifting the pane of glass so that it was at eye level. "Hermione…I…I think Ron fancies Rane Voitekh."
Hermione's face tipped down, her hair falling in front of her eyes obscuring their view of her. "Yes. I was already aware of that."
"You were?" Harry asked with surprise. He stood so that he could look over Ginny's shoulder. "How did you find out?"
Hermione's eyes blinked rapidly as she tried to ward away her tears. "He told me, a month ago, when I brought him to my house to talk." She drew in her bottom lip and gnawed on it in what Harry thought looked like a very painful manner. "So, did Ron tell you he fancied Rane…or…"
Understanding what her friend was really asking, Ginny frowned apologetically. "Neville, Seamus and Dean caught Ron and Rane in the sixth year dorm."
"Oh." Hermione's shoulders sagged, a look of dread stealing over her features. "In his dorm room?" Ginny nodded. Hermione closed her eyes and bit her lips in a vane attempt to try and halt the next question but to her dismay found herself asking it anyway. "Do you know what they were doing?"
"No." Harry shook his head. "No one really knows what happened up there. They imperviated the room. All we know for sure was that they were on Ron's bed when Neville came to the door."
"And Ron didn't tell you what happened?" She asked almost incredulously.
"He's says there's nothing to tell."
"But you don't believe him."
"I do." Ginny piped in. "If Ron had snogged anyone he would have found a way to let everyone know."
"And what do you call making sure you're caught with the door sealed?" Hermione snapped bitterly.
Harry saw the flare of anger in Ginny's eyes a split second before she opened her mouth to make an angry retort, but Harry cut her off before she could make a sound. "Hermione, we just thought it would be best if you heard it from us instead of from someone else."
Feeling slightly ashamed for her outburst Hermione nodded miserably. Leaning closer to the mirror Harry saw that her chin was quivering slightly, rattling her voice when she spoke. "Is…is he reading my letters?"
Ginny started to say that she didn't know but Harry broke in with a definite "Yes. He's read everyone."
Hermione smiled vaguely. "Then I have an appointment to keep. Is there anything else you wanted to tell me?"
Harry and Ginny looked at each other then looked at her reflection in the glass. "No." Harry murmured. "That's it."
"I guess I'll go then."
"Hermione?" Ginny's voice was laced with concern. "Are you all right?"
Ginny's question seemed to be Hermione's breaking point for suddenly before them her dark brown eyes brimmed and tears began to slide silently down her cheeks, the quiver in her chin becoming more pronounced. She forced a smile onto her face with little success. "W…why wouldn't I be?" Her voice cracked painfully. "My best f…friend is happy, isn't he?"
"Hermione…"
"I have to go." She cut Harry off, giving her mirror a firm tap. As soon as the glass went blank she lowered it onto the smooth desk and pushed it away with shaky hands. She let her head fall with a loud thud against the hard wood and didn't even flinch with the pain of it. What was a small ache in the head after all compared to the crushing force weighing on her chest? She dug her fingers into her hair and tugged slightly. There it was then. Ron had officially moved on. She very much doubted his getting caught with Rane like that was an accident. She wouldn't be surprised if he had set it up in the hopes that if he did get caught word would get back to her.
She knew she should be angry and upset but she didn't have the heart or the energy. All she could feel was a heavy sense of loss. The possibility of Ron being anything more to her then a friend was gone. It had been gone since the day she had first sent back Pigwidgion with his letter unopened.
Hermione whipped the stream of tears away from her face, scolding herself for her naïveté. It had been stupid of her to think that her writing letters to him would make any difference. It was far too late for gestures like that. Her breath came out in a shuttered gasp as a wave of fresh pain stole over her heart. She would give anything to go back and change what she had done, to stop herself from making so many horrific, life altering mistakes.
"Get a hold of yourself, Hermione." She scolded several minutes later, wiping away the remainder of her tears, blinking her eyes quickly hoping to banish the wetness to whence it came. When her eyes were no longer blurred with salty tears she reached for the stack of parchment sitting on the top right corner of her desk and pulled the top piece toward herself while retrieving her quill and her jar of ink from the drawer.
Smoothing the parchment out before her, she dipped the quill in the jar of deep purple ink. She held the quill poised over the parchment ready to write and found that she didn't know what to say. After several minutes of staring at the blank page she set the quill to paper and penned the words Dearest Ron, deciding that was as good a place to start as any.
An hour and a half later after many rewrites and several drafts she decided her letter was ready. She wanted to be certain that it was exactly like all her others. She would let Ron play his game. There was no need for him to know that she knew about him and Rane and there was even less of a need for him to realize how much it had upset her. If she and Ron were going to remain friends she needed to learn to not let the thought of him with other girls affect her.
She sealed the letter with a tap of her wand and rose to her feet. She pulled her robes tight about her as she slipped the missive into her pocket. Despite the warming spells cast on every room and the fires burning in all the grates the air was still chilly, sinking deep into the skin, making her fell chilled to the bone. Hermione shivered as she stepped out into the hall and closed the door behind her. She didn't know if it was her imagination but the school seemed cooler today then usual.
As she made her way to the school owlrey she nodded greetings to her fellow students when they called her name, but never stopped to talk. She wanted to get the letter off so that hopefully it would arrive at Hogwarts before Ron went to sleep.
Hermione pushed open the heavy door that closed off the owlrey from the rest of the school and was instantly assailed with the smell of musty straw, owl droppings and the sound of a soft giggle and the husky timber of a male voice. Hermione froze unsure if she should interrupt or come back later when the hidden couple had left. She had just decided to leave when she heard Ester's familiar voice scolding her boyfriend. "Bjorn, you can wait two minutes while I tie this on. I want to send this off before it gets too late."
