Ok, so after reading this chapter a couple of people might be annoyed, 'cause they wanted the meeting with Malfoy to happen like now, well I'm sorry but you'll just have to wait one more chapter, I swear it's in the next one, having already written it!
Mini challenge - who knows what book and author Hermione's talking about? Cake and ice cream to those who know!
Please R & R, I'll be quick with the next update if you do ;) (lol bribery rules!)
Step
Chapter 28
After Ginny, Harry and Hermione had their showers and got dressed, they went to St. Mungo's. Visiting hours were extended on a weekend so they didn't have to worry about going at the wrong time. Although, as Harry pointed out, there wasn't going to be a problem, no one could – apparently – get into the hospital better than he could!
As Hermione was sat on the edge of Ron's bed she was overwhelmed with a barrage of different emotions. She still felt guilty over what had happened with Cairo, in hindsight, she thought she should have realised what was happening especially after the warning Ginny had given her, she now knew what Ginny had meant when she said "be careful".
As much as she tried she couldn't help thinking that Ron might be awake soon. She was naturally an optimist; to her the philosophical glass would always be half full. Even three years of war hadn't beaten that out of her although now her philosophy of life was "Hope for the best but prepare for the worst".
Every time she thought about this whole thing being the answer to her prayers she then got an overwhelming sense of loss when she realised it might not happen, and then to top everything off she got angry at herself for building her hopes up at all.
The three of them sat in Ron's cubicle silently, each of them lost in their own thoughts. After five minutes without a word between them Harry snapped out of his 'what ifs?'
'We're gonna have to act more natural than this when we go to the Burrow, 'cause everyone'll know something's up,' he said quietly.
Hermione and Ginny looked at him.
'Yeah you're right,' Ginny replied.
'Sorry Harry,' said Hermione.
'There's no need to apologise I'm just saying, that's all.'
'You're still right though. It's not exactly a normal occurrence for the three of us to be rendered speechless now is it?'
'Merlin no, can't shut you two up normally!'
'Ha bloody ha!' Ginny said smiling.
'Well it's true! I can barely get a word in edgeways normally.'
'That is such a lie!' Hermione replied.
'Oh really, can I remind you of a certain conversation you had the other night about the ethical issue of testing experimental potions on house elves. Three times I tried to tell you what I thought about it and three times I was drowned out by one of you.''
'No you may not remind us of it and please don't start Hermione off on that subject again. I barely escaped with my life last time!'
'Oh come on! I wasn't that bad!'
'So I just misinterpreted the phrase "I can only imagine what kind of sick minded bastard came up with the idea in the first place" did I?'
Harry laughed and Hermione scowled at Ginny.
'Ok fine, I'll admit I was a bit passionate with my argument but I'm not going to change my opinion.'
'I think Ginny figured that out after three hours!'
After visiting Ron the three of them arrived in Diagon Alley for some food and when they were pleasantly full apparated to the Burrow.
When they arrived Fred and George were already there, discussing with Arthur if it would finally be worth expanding their business into Hogsmeade as they had planned to years earlier, but had never had the opportunity. It took all of twenty seconds to persuade them to play Quidditch with Harry and Ginny; Hermione breathed a loud sigh of relief.
The four players spent most of the afternoon on their brooms, coming back down to earth occasionally for a drink. The September sun was cooler than Hermione was used to, August having been ridiculously hot, but still warm enough for her to sit in the garden with a book, occasionally watching the game above her.
Ten minutes before Molly had said tea would be ready Fred, George and Ginny touched down and went to put their brooms safely in the shed. Harry who had brought his Firebolt from home took a seat next to Hermione who looked immersed in the text of her book, but was actually staring at the pages blankly, not taking in any of the words in front of her.
She jumped when Harry collapsed in the chair next to her, the noise bringing her from her thoughts.
'Were we that boring to watch?' he asked with a smile on his face.
'No Harry you weren't, but I'd have damaged my neck if I'd have watched you continuously.'
Harry looked up and realised the angle his neck was at.
'I never thought of that, and to be fair when Hermione Granger doesn't have a book in her hand or in close proximity I get worried. It just seems wrong somehow!'
Hermione looked at Harry and smiled at him.
'Do you know why I read so much Harry?' she asked.
'Because you need to know everything about everything?' he replied with a smile.
'Well that's one reason, but it's not that main one.'
'Well what is?'
'When I was little I used to love to escape into stories and fairytales. That's all it was – escapism. If I was worried or upset about something, or if I just needed to switch my brain off I'd read a story about far away lands and magical adventures to take my mind off my childhood worries.'
'There's nothing unusual about that Hermione.'
'I know there's not. But what happens Harry, when one of your favourite worlds to escape to, a world where there's magic and wands, spells and mythical creatures becomes your reality? Where do you escape to then? Where do you find your sanctuary from your worries without being reminded of what you're trying to ignore?
Harry sighed
'I…I don't know Hermione. I suppose…no you've got me stumped on that one!'
Hermione laughed quietly.
'It's ok Harry, I haven't thought how to either. It's not a huge issue anymore. It was when I started Hogwarts though, I took my favourite 'comfort' books from home but when they talked of magic and wand waving all I could think about was school work and all the wand movements and spells I had to learn so they stopped being a comfort. It wasn't until I saw them again when we were sorting out my stuff that I thought about them again. I used to be so happy when I disappeared into that world, and then the other day I read a quote from a muggle author that got me thinking.'
'Uh oh, what was it.'
'It was something he wrote in a foreword in one of his books to his goddaughter. He was saying that children read fairytales, and then they grow out of it and become too old to, but then some day everyone becomes old enough to start reading fairytales again. It's at times like this, especially with tonight and whatever that might bring that I wish I could escape from my magical reality, even if it is only for an hour or two.'
Harry stayed quiet, he couldn't think of anything to say.
'Surely I haven't stunned you into silence Harry?'
He smiled.
'No, well, on that subject you have. I don't suppose you could watch telly instead?'
Hermione laughed.
'Watch television instead of reading a book? How could you suggest such a thing Harry?'
'Yeah I didn't think so! There is another option.'
'What's that?'
Harry bent down and picked up his broom and held it out to Hermione. She looked at him puzzled.
'Harry I thought we'd determined I couldn't play Quidditch.'
'We have, but you can fly well enough. I know I go on about it but there's nothing like flying to clear your mind. It might not be total escapism, but it's a start!'
Hermione looked at the broom in his hand, then saw herself reach out and take the handle.
'Yeah ok, I'll give it a go. I can't quite believe you're letting me ride your Firebolt though, are you sure?'
'Yeah go on. I trust you; just don't fall off from a great height. I'm not sure Ginny would appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate what she's learned so far at St. Mungo's.'
Hermione smiled,
'That's true!'
She stood up and swung her leg over the broom, resting her foot on the brass rest at the tail end. She turned to Harry who had stood up with her.
'She turns at the slightest touch so watch you don't slide or roll.'
'I won't,' Hermione said, smiling at the fact Harry had called his broom 'she'.
'Ok, off you go then.'
'Thanks Harry.'
'For what?'
'For understanding.'
He smiled at her and she kicked off from the ground, the speed of the broom taking her breath away slightly. She soon regained her composure, and once she had relaxed, enjoyed the feeling of the wind in her hair and how free she felt. She came to a stop and hovered so she could look down at the ground. She saw Harry looking up at her and he waved, she returned the gesture and smiled.
'You know Hermione,' she said aloud to herself, 'it's not bad this flying lark. Not bad at all.'
Oh, and can I just say, you know at the end of the COS film when Lucius Malfoy is about to curse Harry, is it just my imagination or does he start saying Avada Kedavra? 'Cause wouldn't that be a really stupid thing to do? Anyway...please read and review ;)
