Dueling With Destiny
Summary: Everyone has a destiny. But for Hermione, that destiny is something she has been fighting her whole life…
Rated: T
Disclaimer: If J.K. Rowling uses a seven year old computer with no internet access or hard drive to save her story to, then yes, I am J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: It's been forever since I updated this. Horrible, I know. The only reason actually that I'm even updating it now is because I entered this story in a contest on a Harry Potter Board I'm on called Three Champions. It was my longest story I had been working on so I decided to put it in the running. Little did I know that I would stay in the competition long enough to run out of previously typed up chapters. People actually seem to like the story. Go figure….
So here I am scrambling in the last few hours before the deadline to get out two more chapters so I don't get eliminated. The funny thing is, while working on this story I realized how much I actually like it. So even if I get eliminated in this next round, chances are I'll be continuing the story. That's great news to all my readers although not so much so for myself who has had rapidly diminishing free time these past few weeks. sigh
Cheer me up by reviewing please!
Alright, so I deleted my warning about Half-Blood Prince Spoilers. If any of you have still not read it, well then it's your own fault for being on here isn't it?
Chapter 4: Those Final Days
August 25, 1998
The Burrow
One late summer afternoon, Hermione and Ginny lay in lawn chairs in the Weasley garden. The boys were off playing an informal game of Quidditch that the girls had opted out of in hopes of some peace and quiet.
"This has got be the most relaxed I've been all summer," murmured Ginny, taking a sip of her iced tea.
Hermione smiled and opened one of her eyes to glance over at Ginny. "Even with your brothers home?"
"Even so," Ginny nodded. "I know it sounds weird, but even with all the chaos, I like having them here. It makes the house less empty. I remember when I was ten, how lonely I was that everyone was gone. The house was too quiet, too peaceful. I missed them."
Hermione laughed. "It must be nice, having such a big family. You always have people around that love you"
"Yeah, it is. I mean, sometimes they can be complete gits. I love them to death but there are times when I just wish they'd let me live my own life. Still, they're my brothers and I wouldn't give them up for anything in the world. Well… maybe Percy…" Ginny grinned wickedly.
"Percy?" Hermione asked, faking confusion. "Is he a Weasley?"
"In name only," Ginny said with a sigh. "The git hasn't been around here in ages! Doesn't want the Ministry to think he's anything like us."
Hermione shook her head. "I still can't believe the nerve of him!"
"I can't believe the Ministry!" Ginny spewed. "It takes them a year to admit that anything is wrong in the first place and even when they do, they merely run around arresting innocent people! You-Know-Who's been back for three years now! You'd think they'd start trying to do something about it rather than create more ridiculous rules that don't keep anyone safe."
Hermione shook her head but remained silent.
"Dad says its only going to get worse before it gets better." Ginny continued. She frowned, her face suddenly grave and serious. "Before he left the Ministry, he would see the chaos that went on. No one knows what to do. Everyone's paranoid, glancing over their shoulder, trusting no one."
Hermione shivered. "It's like their running around with their heads chopped off," she murmured.
"Like the muggle chickens," Ginny said, attempting a weak smile.
Hermione didn't reply, she lay there, lost in her thoughts. After a moment Ginny continued.
"There's times when it seems impossible, that this must all be some kind of insane dream. Laying out here in the sun right now, I can almost believe that there is no evil in the world, no fighting…"
"No Dark Lord…"
Ginny nodded in agreement. The two remained silent for a bit, both lost in their own thoughts. After a while, Ginny spoke once more.
"I wish I didn't leave in a week to go back to Hogwarts," she said with a sigh. "It seems so small and insignificant compared to what everyone else is doing. Ron and Harry are training to become Aurors, you're working as a healer's apprentice… and meanwhile, I'm stuck in school, not even old enough to join the Order yet."
Hermione chuckled. "You'll get your turn, don't worry Gin. Enjoy your 7th year while you can. It goes by fast, trust me."
Gin sat up, looking at Hermione suddenly. "Are you scared?" she asked quietly.
Hermione tilted her head, squinting in the sunlight.
"About what?"
"The world? Life?" said Ginny simply. "Anything and everything? The future?"
Hermione smiled sadly. "We all have to face the future sooner or later Gin. We can't live in the past forever."
Ginny nodded. "I know. It's just that…"
Ginny paused, not knowing quite how to continue. Hermione frowned worriedly. It was easy to tell that something was seriously bothering Ginny.
"What is it, Gin?" she asked gently.
Ginny frowned, her brow furrowing together in thought. "Everything's changing so fast. I feel as if my head were spinning. I have this feeling deep down in my gut, like something horrible is about to happen."
She paused, taking a deep breath.
"I know it's probably nothing… I just can't shake the feeling though."
Hermione remained silent for a second, contemplating an answer that would ease her friend's mind.
"Maybe this feeling that you have deep in your gut is simply your body's way of telling you that you're scared."
Ginny stared at her friend in confusion. "Scared?"
Hermione nodded. "It wouldn't be surprising. I mean, you're going back to Hogwarts for your final year. For the first time in your life you're without your family around to protect and guide you. It's a big change."
Ginny sighed. "I sound like some scared little school girl, don't I? It's so silly."
"No, it's not," Hermione said, shaking her head. After a moment she added; "I'm scared too Gin."
Ginny turned back around to face Hermione.
"But you just said you weren't a minute ago."
"I lied," said Hermione, blushing. "The truth is, change is scary for anyone, even under the most peaceful of circumstances."
"I don't want to lose them Hermione," she said softly. She turned away staring off into the sky at the small specks of her brothers whizzing through the air.
"I know Gin. And I wish I could reassure you that you won't," Hermione said sadly. "Just know that I'm always here for you. No matter what happens I'm just an owl away at all times."
Ginny hugged Hermione tightly. Her eyes brimmed with tears. She quickly wiped them away once she had pulled out of the hug.
"Don't tell the guys about this please Hermione," Ginny pleaded. "I don't want them to know. They'd only worry."
"Your secret is safe with me," said Hermione with a reassuring smile.
The girls lay out in silence for a while longer. As the sun began to set, they gathered their things and began to head inside.
"Thank you," Ginny said quietly as they reached the door.
Hermione smiled at the youngest Weasley. "Any time Gin."
Then, without another word, they stepped into the noisy, crowded kitchen to join the others.