I am back so soon! I decided I think I'm going to spam post about three chapters today just because they cover the real main storyline. Let me know what you think!
Enjoy & Review!
"Merry Christmas Eve Morning." Ginny calls excitedly from her bed, smiling over to her friend.
"Merry Christmas Eve Gin." The bushy haired witch smiled from behind the book she was reading.
The blue eyed girl leapt from her bed and quickly tugged back the purple curtains. At the sight, she squealed.
"Look it's snowing!" Ginny pointed out the stacks of white powder and small flecks from her spot.
In turn, Hermione managed a genuine smile at her excitement. The brunette had known it was snowing, being she woke hours ago, unable to go back to sleep, but she was happy to see Ginny this way.
"It's brilliant. A white Christmas." She told her friend.
"Wicked!" The younger girls exclaimed, before turning and circling Hermione's camp bed, "now get up." She almost demanded.
"Gin, I," she started, coming up with some excuse as to why she couldn't leave the room.
"Nope! Mum makes a special breakfast every Christmas Eve morning. If you don't come down, well, I'll send her up to get you!" Ginny grins evilly.
Though the threat of Molly coming up here is a scary one, she's still reluctant. Ginny can sense as much.
"Hermione honestly everyones missed you. And Ron," she pauses to meet her friends brown eyes, "he's been worrying himself sick."
"He has?" Granger chokes pathetically.
The red head nods, "yeah, just last night he was going on about how he's worried about you hanging out in the garden, scared someone might see you."
"That's ridiculous. Dumbledore put up the wards himself plus the apparition line," she begins, a trying to think why Ron would care.
"An apparition line that extends to the pond. Exactly what we all said, but he was still a wreck. Merlin, I thought he was gonna pound Fred's face in!"
"Fred? Why?" She asks confused.
"Made some dumb joke about death eaters coming by to get you. I swear he would've punched him if Charlie hadn't stepped in." Ginny tells.
Hermione's at a loss, "why would he care?" She knows the answer, she's just not willing to accept it given everything.
Ginny stared at her for a moment before letting out a nervous huff of air, "come sit."
The pair plopped ungracefully onto the mattress.
"I told Ron you snogged Viktor Krum." Ginny admitted so fast that she wasn't sure the other girl even heard.
She did. Her face paled.
"You, you what?" Her voice was nothing but hurt, no anger, somehow that felt worse, "you know I didn't. He kissed me, I said no. It was the type of kiss your Mum gives you when your five."
"I know that! Merlin, I know, I was just so angry. He had caught me with Dean and he was going on about what people would say if I went around snogging so many boys. Then I just wanted to hit him where I knew it'd hurt..." she admitted shamefully.
"Ginny I really wish you hadn't done that. I understand Ron was out of line but I told you that I confidence!" Her voice was rising despite telling herself to calm down.
"I know, I feel awful if that makes a difference Hermione." She began to cry.
The brunette didn't comfort her, but she didn't yell either.
"It's all my fault. All my fault." She repeated groggily.
"What is?" Hermione dared to question.
"Everything! If I had never said something so stupid to Ron then I reckon he'd never have dated Lavender. Then you two would be friends and wouldn't be so miserable. I'm sorry Hermione, I'm so sorry!" Ginny rarely cried, and here she was close to hysterics.
Caving, Hermione grasped the younger and tucked her into her chest, allowing her to sob.
"It's okay Ginny." She soothed.
"No, it's not!" Weasley retorts fiercely.
At this, the sixth year pushes her shoulder back so they can make eye contact.
"Am I happy you told that to Ron? No, but we can't fix it now can we," Ginny opened her mouth, no doubt to apologize, until Hermione went on, "and if Ron did in fact pursue Lavender because of that, well that's not your fault. That's his."
It's ridiculous. Six years of friendship thrown away because someone pecked Hermione two years ago? Since she first saw Ron and Lavender together, she's allowed herself to be angry, not sad, angry. However, why this news would push Ron into another's arms baffles her.
Merlin she's oblivious.
"I told him after the truth, I told him it wasn't even a snog and that you had said no." Ginny said next.
"What did he say back?" She was scared to ask.
"That he was an idiot that he had been trying to chuck Lavender."
Hermione scoffed.
"Honestly I think he was trying." The ginger said through sniffles.
"Not from what I saw the morning we left a Hogwarts," at Ginny's scrunched brow she went on, "well I caught Lavender telling Won-Won that she's in love with him." She said bitterly.
"So? She's mental!" The girl reminds.
"Maybe so, but I heard Ron open with the fact that he had to tell her something, that he's been trying to for weeks and didn't know how. Next thing I hear is Lavender saying those three words so..." she's sad again.
"There must be more to it." Hermione wasn't convinced, "no Hermione listen, he found out about what Lavender's saying, about the common room, about McLaggen." She said the last name quietly.
"What?" She barely got out, horrified. If Ron didn't want her then he surely wouldn't now, not with Cormac's hands already have burned into her skin.
"He didn't know about any of it, not until I rowed with him, that day when your parents owled you."
She remained silent.
"He was livid Hermione, absolutely angry. Angry at Lavender, McLaggen, himself! Trust me, I know my brother and never have I seen him so guilty in my entire life Hermione." Ginny finished.
She choose not to elect the information that Ron had apparently told Lavender it was done. This was because, one Ginny hadn't known the details behind it, and two, it didn't feel like her place. She'd gotten into enough trouble running her mouth when it came to her brother and Hermione.
Again, silence came over the room. It stayed this way for a few tense minutes.
"To answer your earlier question, it's because even though he's daft and even though he's got a hundred mistakes to make up for, I think he really does love you." The red haired girl whispered.
"What?" Hermione asked confused, brown eyes meeting blue ones.
"To answer your question about why Ron would care enough to beat up Fred. That's why."
"I don't think so Ginny." And Hermione doesn't, not at all. She just can't allow herself to even consider it. Not when he's broken her heart then stomped on the shards.
"I know," she said voice full of conviction, "and one of these days, so will you." She almost swore.
The older witch let the words sink in. Again, she didn't believe what Ginny had to say but it really sounded like Ginny believed the words fully. That could mean something, right?
Officially over thinking of this entire headache of a conversation, Hermione stands, "come on." She whispers.
The gingers puffy blue eyes meet her own in confusion.
"We have to go to breakfast." She points out.
A relieved smile sits on the youngest Weasley's face, "we're okay?" She asked tentatively as she stood.
The brunette nods, and she really means it. Anyway, she can't worry about being upset with Ginny. Not when she's preparing herself to have her first meal with the Weasley's in days.
...
Ron doubted Hermione got him a gift. Not that he expected one.
However, he couldn't help but allow himself to think of how wonderful it would be if she joined them for breakfast.
That would be a gift within itself.
Here's to hoping, Ron thought as he plopped down on his designated chair.
Nearby his Mum operated the stove as Charlie gathered drinks. Bill had subtly pulled out Fleur's chair as the twins erupted with laughter. His father was talking to Harry about something in The Prophet. And Ginny, well she wasn't down yet. Ron was hoping she'd arrive soon.
With Hermione.
Suddenly the soft pitter patter of feet sounds down the wooden steps and Ron swears he hears two sets.
A stupid swell of hope erupts deep within his chest as he perks up and peers over to the doorway.
His heart jumps at the sight.
Behind his little sister is her. She's donned in pajamas, a tradition set by his mother, flannel bottoms and a loose navy jumper. Her hair was arranged into a plait at the back of her neck as a few loose curls framed her face.
And it's like seeing her for the first time, or looking at her like he did that night at the ball.
Merlin she's gorgeous.
"Hermione dear!" Molly practically squeals, abandoning the stove and pulling her into a tight embrace.
Hermione responds quickly by snaking her arms to the oldest woman's back, it felt nice. After so many days of feeling sad about things in France, things at Hogwarts, to be hugged by the woman whose like her second mother. She finally felt home.
"Mum let her breathe." Ginny scolded gently as she sat down next to Charlie.
With watery eyes, Missus Weasley pulls away, keeping the brunette at arms length, "sorry, it's just so lovely to have you join us." She says with a watery smile.
Knowing all eyes are on hers, that his eyes are on hers, she smiled sheepishly, averting her gaze to the floor. "I'm sorry, I haven't been feeling the greatest."
Ron has the sudden urge to ask why, despite knowing the answer. He just wants her to be okay. It's instinct at this point.
"That's okay love, we're just happy to have you." Molly smiles softly as she gently pushes her to an empty chair.
And of course, like the Weasley siblings had planned it (which they had, Ginny had made sure this happened), the only seat was between next to Ron, between him and his father, who was head of the table.
As she slowly plopped down, she caught his blue eyes. Ron offered her a small, warm smile. And surprising to him, she returned it. Hers had been more forced, stiff, awkward, but it was something.
In fact, he had felt like he could fly after the look of acknowledgment from her. So much so, that he had turned to face her, mouth opened and ready to say something. Anything.
But of course that never happened, why would it? The universe clearly has some secret agenda against Ron Weasley and his happiness.
"Bacon Ronnie?" His mom interrupted from behind him, tray in hand.
"Uh, sure Mum." He grumbled, trying not to sound as angry as he felt.
Clearly, that didn't work, because his mother shot him a glare at the tone. None the less, Ron ignored it and grabbed the prongs and began placing some food on his plate.
Seeing this as an opportunity, he took it before his Mum could, "Hermione?" He asked softly, eyes nervously flicking between her and the tray.
"Sorry?" She clearly had been zoned out and surprised that Ron had spoken her name. Something she hasn't heard in too long.
"Would you like some bacon?" He's as red as a beet. Everyone's now watching the pair of them. It would've been awkward had they not been so focused on the other.
"Oh if it's not a bother." She blushed, voice just above a whisper.
He beamed at her, smile a little shaky from the nerves but still genuine, "no bother at all." He assured as the youngest Weasley boy places three pieces on her plate.
He knew Hermione always ate two pieces of bacon at breakfast, but he also know she hadn't been down for a meal in days.
"One more for good luck." He told her shyly.
At this Hermione tinged pink. The knowledge that Ron knew her how she took her breakfast.
Her surprised, round, brown eyes looked to his soft blue ones. For a while they just stared at the other, trying to get a read on the other.
Did he really remember that? Maybe he does pay attention to me. Maybe Ginny was right on some level, he must care, if not a little. Maybe there is hope.
She's looking at me isn't she? I can't remember the last time she did that. Merlin I missed it. I miss her. I wonder if she knows. I'll make sure she does.
So lost in thought, they hadn't even notice Molly carefully slide the tongs from her sons hand as she made her way to her husband. Doing her best to strike conversation so her children would look away from the pair.
"Gits!" Ginny exclaimed spitting up her drink back into her cup.
Just like that their moment was over.
"What even is that? Goblin piss?" The girl questioned her twin brothers, who just continued to snort.
"Of course not Ginevra! Fred said.
"Just a bit of that stuff that comes out of that plant in the garden." George adds.
"Ugh!" Ginny says disgusted, "Mum!" She yells, wanting the boys to answer to someone.
Molly sighed, "let's just enjoy a nice breakfast. I'll get you more juice Ginny."
In response, the girl rolled her eyes as the twins high fived through a laugh.
Soon after Missus Weasley had gotten Ginny a regular glass of pumpkin juice, things seemed to clam down. Soon, everyone was talking amongst themselves. Charlie telling Harry about Romania, Fleur and Molly about the wedding, the twins and Bill about the shop. Hermione however, never chipped into any of the conversations.
Ron, of course, noticed, but he wasn't the only one.
"Hermione have you heard from your parents?" Ron heard his father ask, drawing him away from listening into Harry and Bill.
She dropped her fork and squirmed a little in her chair, "I had wrote them my first day here, they got back to me but it was just to let them know they had arrived in France." The witch informed sadly.
"Anything since?" Arthur questioned gently.
"Well I've written them everyday," she began optimistically, but her tone soon shifted, "but they haven't gotten back to me. So no." She shook her head as she spoke.
Mister Weasley opened his mouth to comfort the poor girl, but his son beat him to it.
"I'm sure everything's alright Mione. No news is good news, right?" Ron tries rather weakly, worried she may snap like on the train.
He hears her suck in a sharp breath and he's worried he's done it again. However, Hermione begins to simply nod and tries to smile.
"I hope you're right." She almost whispers.
Suddenly a warm hand finds the top of her shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze, "whatever happens, we'll be here." Arthur tells her warmly.
Doing her best, the pathetic excuse for a smile grows on her lips, unable to push any words past her lips.
Thankfully, Charlie calls out to his dad, asking a question about some ministry policy, gathering the mans attention.
"You do know he's right." Ron leans in and whispers low in her ear. Enough to make her jump.
She turns to look at him puzzled.
"That whatever happens, we're here. All of us are." I'm here for you, I hope you know. Even after everything, I'm always gonna be here.
Hermione seems to pick up on the double meaning as her eyes water.
"I'm not sure what I know anymore. I really don't." She admits to him, the most open she's been in months.
And just like that, his heart breaks for her all over again.
Yay! Another one down. Sorry for the Ron/Hermione angst at the end there, but I don't know about you guys I love a little angst. Speaking of…
Here's a preview to next chapter:
"of course. Ronald writes Bill about any chance he can and Bill can only offer so much advice about girls."
She scoffed before she could help it, "yeah, pretty girls like you, and Lavender Brown, or even,"
Fleur cut her off, "they were all about you mon chèri."
Please review! See you soon!
