Chapter 9

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter and his world, many things would be different. How so? Ron/Hermione. Good stuff. Though the scene at Dumbledore's funeral holds promise of a rapidly approaching relationship… I don't want to wait 2 whole years. (has a temper tantrum)

Hermione Granger felt empty. After seeing Ginny and Fred, she longed for companionship. She missed having friends, especially ones as fun-loving and dear as the Weasleys. If only she wouldn't have to run into Ron.

She was on her way to her last errand when she spotted a mane of bright red hair. "Damn," she cursed under her breath, bolting away from Ginny Weasley. Ginny couldn't see her now. Anytime but now.

Ginny was just as relentless as Fred. No, more relentless. She is completely determined to see me.

"Hermione! Hermione, wait!" Ginny cried over the people between them. "I want to talk to you."

Hermione gave up. She'll catch me anyway, so I might as well not lose my breath. She stood at the end of the sidewalk and waited.

Ginny came dashing up to her, panting vigorously. "You waited. Good. I would have caught up with regardless."

Hermione nodded. "I know. So did Fred. So I decided not to waste my time. What do you want?"

Ginny looked hurt. "What do I want? I just wanted to talk, but now that you've been so rude, I'll ask you something. Why are you avoiding my brother?"

"I'm not avoiding your brother. I saw Fred…"

"Oh, stuff it, Hermione. You know that's not what I meant. I meant Ron. You know, Ronald Bilius Weasley? Your best friend? The bloke you've had a crush on since first year?"

"First year may be pushing it," Hermione said sharply, unable to think of any other reply.

"I doubt it. Ron told me about what he said that day. Then you just happened to be crying your eyes out in the girl's bathroom? Sure, he hurt your feelings, but that was never all it was, was it?" Ginny asked, smiling mischievously.

Hermione sighed. "Okay, so maybe I found him a little cute. But I was only eleven. I didn't know better."

"Then the Yule Ball?"

Hermione didn't answer, but began to walk away. Briskly, at that. Leave, Ginny, leave, Hermione mentally pleaded. I have to go.

"Where are you going? Wait, Hermione!"

"I need to run an errand. We can talk tomorrow. Okay?"

"No. Hermione, you have to answer me. He's going to find out eventually. He and Fred have been going at each other ever sine Fred came back. Fred's going to yell it at him one day that you were the one that found him, but you refused to see him."

Hermione blanched. "You think so?"

"Yeah. And Ron will apparate on top of you to scream at you. You've been ignoring him. He's tried to contact you. Why?"

Hermione kept walking, unable to wait any longer. She couldn't be late. Her heart fell when she heard Ginny's footsteps behind her. "Ginny!"

"I thought I was your friend! You've been ignoring all of us! Have you been in contact with Harry by any chance?"

Hermione sighed. "Only a few times."

"A few times? A few times? What the hell?"

"Bugger off, Ginny!"

"Don't you dare tell me to bugger off!"

"Why not, Ginevra Weasley?"

"You weren't here when I went loopy. I needed you. Ron was trying to take care of all of us, George was worse off than me, Dad was still mourning, and Harry broke up with me. Where were you? Hiding from everyone?" Ginny still followed Hermione, yelling at the back of her head. "Hiding from Ron I might one day understand, but me? You and I were close friends. We were like sisters."

Hermione continued walking, ignoring Ginny completely. Ginny followed Hermione into a quaint little building.

Hermione shot her daggers. "I'll give you one more chance, Ginny. Leave now or you'll regret it."

"Hermione…" Ginny looked around and realized where she was. "Hermione, why are we here?"

Just then a door opened. A middle-aged woman with graying hair spotted Hermione and smiled. "There you are, Ms. Granger. You're late. I was beginning to worry, for you're always early. Just a minute."

Ginny was completely confused. "Hermione?"

Hermione smiled at the lady. "Thank you. I'm sorry, but I was delayed."

After a few minutes, the door opened a little wider. Before Ginny caught a glimpse of them, she heard it. "Mummy, mummy!"

Two little red-headed girls of about two came rushing into Hermione's awaiting arms.

"Oh Mummy, you late," one said sternly. "Molly was sad."

"Well, I'm sorry, dears. I didn't mean to make you upset, Molly. Or you either, Jane." She hugged them tightly. "I won't be late again."

The door closed and Hermione moved to leave the building.

Ginny, who had by now recovered, stood in her way. "Oh, Hermione," she sighed, tears forming in her eyes. "How could you?"

A/N: A cliffhanger! I hope that wasn't blatantly obvious people. I hope everyone enjoyed a shorter chapter for a change. This will be the last chapter I post until after Thanksgiving holidays. I won't have access to my computer, for I will not have internet access. I will have to share the big black Dell desktop with my whole family, instead of this sleek and beautiful silver Comaq Presario laptop. It will be worth the wait, though. Thanks to my dedicated reviewers (johncardy87, jwoods471, jo, etc.). I love you loads! Stay safe during the holidays!

Bardlover