The conversation on the swing set

Frustrated, Hermione closed the door to the Burrow. With a sigh, she walked over to Harry, who was sitting on one of the swings in the garden watching a bunch of children playing tag on the fields. He looked up with a faint smile on his lips as she stopped next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It's impossible," she said, her eyes on the horizon. "They just wont listen."

All throughout the evening they had been trying to convince the Weasley family that Ginny really was back and that they ought to see her. But with no success.

"I guess," Harry said and lingered for a while. "That its just been too long."

"It's as if they don't want to realize," Hermione continued. That its too much of an effort.

"It kind of is," Harry said and sighed when Hermione gave him a confused look. "I mean, you said it yourself the other day: it took them years to realize she's gone. How would you feel like if when you'd finally been able to let go of someone and then she just returns just like

that, after 12 years of silence?"

Hermione gave him an odd glance. "You never thought she was dead?" she asked.

"What?"

"The way you said it, it's as if you hadn't experienced it yourself. You've believed she's been alive all the time? Why haven't you said anything?"

"I-," Harry began, but trailed off, not knowing what to say without making her upset.

Fortunately, he was saved.

"Mum said we better go home." Ron said and made Hermione flinch.

"Ronald Weasley!" she exclaimed and punched him. "Don't you ever scare me like that again!"

Harry laughed and Ron gave a shrug. "Sorry."

"They still wont see her?" Harry asked.

"Nope," Ron answered and shook his head. "Not yet at least. It's a shock for all of us."

"Not entirely," Hermione muttered and glanced towards Harry, who sighed. "Harry has been thinking she would come back all along."

"I never said that!" Harry exclaimed and stood up from the swing. "I've just never been able to consider her as dead. Think of it Hermione, why should she die, after leaving voluntarily?"

"Did you hear that Ron?" Hermione asked furiously. "Did you hear him?"

"Sure," Ron answered and brought up a parcel of cigarettes, which Hermione immediately snatched from his hands. "Harry's got a point."

"I beg your pardon?" Hermione snapped and twisted around, facing Ron.

"Don't get me wrong, I hate her for what she's put our familythrough. But if she really liked that git enough to leave with him, she must have trusted him. My sister sure isn't stupid."

"We know that," Harry said. "But it's still strange though. Why would she want to leave with him of all being? Did she really leave voluntarily?"

"Hey!" Hermione exclaimed. "Don't you try and switch subject!"

"I guess we'll just have to ask her." Ron stated and gave Harry a significant look.

Harry in return nodded thoughtfully. "I guess I can dig up the old invisible cloak."

"Oh no," Hermione said harshly and grabbed Harry's arm. "You are under no circumstances to do that. You are not 11 years old anymore, you have others to care about, other things."

"Hermione," Ron sighed. "Nothing will happen. We're just going to sneak into Hogwarts and-"

He stopped. A letter had just fell down on the ground in front of them. The Black owl flew a lap around their heads before it took off. Hermione bent down and picked up the letter.

"Harry," she said resolute, recognizing the handwriting too well. "It's for you."

She handed it over to the green-eyed man, who opened it slowly and after what, to Ron and Hermione, seemed as minutes, he finally cleared his throat.

"Harry, I reckoned you'd be at the burrow now, discussing what recently has happened.

Mum, dad, and some of my brothers will probably not see me, at least not

yet, I realize that.

But I still have things to explain.

It's busy here right now, but if you could wait I would be glad to see

you here at Hogwarts two weeks from now. You, Hermione, and those of my

family who want to.

I've really missed you Harry. I've missed all of you.

Ginny."

He lapsed into silence, and with his eyes in the distance he folded the letter. "You're right, Ron, she's smart."

Ron snorted. "What bullshit! Cant you see how she's trying to snare you Harry? You think he told her to write it? He surely forced her!"

"I don't think so," Hermione said and shook her head. "I know Ginny, this is her idea."

The two looked at Harry, who had returned to sit on the swing. He was leaned forward, his fingers moving in circles over his temples. Hermione snorted.

"Right," she said harshly. "I forgot. We should feel sorry for you, because you're the only one here going through a crises. The love of your life left you with your very enemy, and now she's back with him, married. Poor you Harry, poor you!"

She stalked off, but Harry had been practicing his reflexes for too long. He stood up rapidly and grabbed her by the arm even before she'd taken three steps.

"What's wrong with you Hermione?" he exclaimed and shook her slightly. "A letter, and you totally freak out!"

"Well, what about you then?" she spit out. "is it all coming back to you now, even though she's trying to manipulate you?"

A darkness grew in Harry's eyes that Ron had not seen for many years. Harry tightened his grip around Hermione's arms, making her whine. "You don't know nothing about what went on between me and Ginny," he said roughly. "You really want to know why I haven't been able to think of her as lost?"

He let go of the bushy haired woman in front of him and turned around as she took a few steps back in fear, her arms around herself. "Yes Harry, tell me!" she said.

"I love her too much, that's what its all about."

Chapter 6.

I'll be honest. I have been doubting. I didn't think this story would work, not in the longrun at least.

Luckily, this chapter came out as it did, and now I see a cleaer purpose... even though I still don't know where it's leading.

/Honey