Blah, Blah, Blah…who reads up here anyways? Read the stupid story folks…
Chapter 3-
It had been ten years. Ten long years.
Ginny had forgotten all about Harry. The first few weeks he was gone, it was all about him, but after 2 years it was all over for her-she moved on, got new boyfriends…while Hermione had continued to write letters pretending to be her.
For ten years.
With every letter, every word, Hermione grew to love Harry more, and more, and more. Soon he was all she thought about. She waited for days for his letters, and she'd read them over and over when she received them. When a single letter was a day late, she began to worry crazily and one time even stopped eating.
She never thought, never dreamed, never imagined that she would have to cover up her lies…as long as she knew it-Harry was gone, long gone, and he had no connection whatsoever to them except through her letters. Little did she know that it wasn't going to last for long.
- - - - - - - -
The letter arrived one day, in late June. Hermione took it up to her room to read.
Dear Ginny,
You'll never believe it! I'm coming back to London! Virginia wanted to meet up with Hermione's parents…I can't believe I'll see you again for the first time in ten years! I hope I'll still be able to recognize you. All I have is a ten year old picture of you and Hermione…hope you'll be able tell who I am incase I can't tell who you are.
Well…not much more to say. Virginia and I are coming on the 11th by train, since she's a muggle. Be sure to pick us up!
Can't wait to see you
Harry
Hermione's first reaction was joy. He was coming back at last! It was too good to be true…but then realization hit her like a ton of blocks.
He was coming back…to see Ginny. The Ginny who he thought wrote those letters to him. The Ginny whom he'd sent those bangles to.
Not Hermione.
How was she going to explain it? To her family, to Ginny, to Harry?
- - - - -
Dear Harry,
That's great! I can't wait to see you…
Why do you need a picture? Won't be able to recognize me…huh? Well then fine…I'll put you to the test. Let's see if you can tell who I am…
- - - - -
Dear Gin,
Oh c'mon! Of course I don't need a picture…I can recognize you like…(snap). Your image is imbedded in my heart…and anyways, how much can a person change in ten years?...
- - - - -
Dear Harry,
You have no idea…
- - - - - - -
Gin-
What's up with all the secrecy? Is something wrong?
- - - - - - -
Dear Harry,
Time's nearing closer and close. Can't wait to see if you know who I really am…
- - - - - - -
It was time…she had to tell Ginny sooner or later. Harry was coming in a week, and she wanted to tell Ginny before her mother told her family that Harry and Virginia were coming.
- - - - - - -
Hermione Apparated into Ginny's room. Over the years, she'd become so close to Ginny, she felt like they were more than sisters.
Ginny didn't look up when Hermione Apparated inside her room. She was spread eagle on her bed, a pile of papers lying in front of her. Her long red hair was pulled up in a bun, but a few strands of hair hung loosely around her face.
Hermione debated whether to tell her now…or later.
Maybe later, she thought, noting that Ginny was busy. She was about to Apparate out of the room when Ginny spoke.
"Are you ready to tell?" Ginny asked, ruffling the sheets in her hands.
Caught in the act, Hermione turned around quickly. "W-What do you mean?"
"You've Apparated into my room five times now," Ginny said, "Then you Apparated out without saying anything," she snorted, "As if I don't notice!"
"That's not true," Hermione said, turning a deep shade of pink, embarrassed to have almost done that again. "And yes…I do have to tell you something."
"What?" Ginny asked exasperatedly, sighing and then looking up to meet Hermione's eye.
"I-It's about…"Hermione sunk down into Ginny's chair. "It's about Harry."
Ginny was quiet for a moment as she stared at Hermione, a shocked look covering her features.
"Harry?" she asked incredulously, "Harry Potter?"
"Yes," Hermione said, "Him."
"What about him?" Ginny asked, "You haven't said a work about your 'best friend' in what…eleven years?"
"Ten," Hermione said quickly. Ginny gave her an odd stare and she quickly redeemed herself.
"It's just that…he's coming back, to London."
"What?" Ginny exclaimed, sitting up strait. "He's coming back? That's great!"
"Yes," Hermione said, trying to smile, but failing miserably.
Ginny frowned. "Then why are you so sad?"
"It's just that…"Hermione trailed off. When Ginny continued to stare at her intently she said, "It's just that, I have a problem."
"With Harry coming back to London?"
"No…well actually, yes."
"Any particular reason?" Ginny asked, brushing red hair out of her eyes.
Hermione was quiet as she stared down at her nails. She had rehearsed what she was going to say to Ginny a thousand times…why was it so hard to say it now?
"Do you remember," she asked, "When Harry left London?"
"Yes," Ginny said, "Of course I do."
"Do you remember everything?" Hermione asked meekly.
Ginny gave Hermione an odd stare and said, "I remember that he went by train, and…he was wearing that hideous cloak that Hagrid gave him in sixth year, and his hair was-"
"I mean," Hermione interrupted, "Do you remember what he said?"
Ginny's brow furrowed. "Er, he just said that he wanted to get away from London…he would miss us…write often."
"And did you write often?" Hermione urged.
"No," Ginny said. Thinking Hermione was staring at her accusingly she said, "How was I supposed to? I can't write letters…he knew that! And did he care enough to write to me?"
"Actually," Hermione said, her gaze directed to the floor as she twiddled her thumbs, "He did…"
"He did." Ginny repeated it monotonously.
"Yes…"Hermione said, shifting in her seat, "And er…since you didn't reply…I did."
"You replied?" Ginny asked, "For me?"
"Yes."
To Hermione's shock, a wide grin spread across Ginny's face. That was not the reaction she was expecting.
"Thank you!" Ginny gasped.
Hermione gaped at her. "F-for what?"
"You know I hate writing letters," Ginny said, "You saved me there!"
"Yes…"Hermione said, "But…"
The grin wiped off of Ginny's face. "But what?"
"He sent a letter back."
"And you replied? As me?"
"Well…yes."
"Oh," Ginny said, shrugging it off, "That's okay. It's just two letters."
Hermione was quiet as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She could feel Ginny's gaze on her.
"It's more than two letters?" Ginny asked, her eyes widening.
"Yes,' Hermione said softly.
"How many?" Ginny exclaimed, realization finally sinking in.
Hermione was quiet again.
"That many?" Ginny asked, her eyebrows raised so high, Hermione feared they would go past her forehead.
"Yes."
"Hermione!" Ginny said, in an almost yell, "How long have you been pretending to be me?"
"T-Ten years."
Ginny was silent and her mouth hung open as she stared at Hermione with shock.
"Ten years." She repeated desolately, her voice low and dry. "And now he's coming back?"
Hermione nodded as she avoided Ginny's eyes.
"Hermione!" Ginny said, her voice rising and her eyes blaring, "What am I supposed to tell Harry now? You know how bad this makes me look! And I was his girlfriend too!"
"That's why," Hermione said, moving from her spot on Ginny's chair to the edge of Ginny's bed, "You don't tell him."
"I don't tell him?" Ginny asked, raising her eyebrows.
"He'll only be here for two weeks," Hermione explained, "And just for those two weeks…pretend you wrote those letters!"
"What?"
Ginny exclaimed, "I can't do something that stupid
Hermione…sorry."
"Please Gin," Hermione begged, clasping
her hands together, "It's just two weeks!"
Ginny sighed and looked over at Hermione. "Alright," she said.
Hermione sighed and smiled at Ginny. "Thank you so much Ginny."
That was one problem solved, Hermione noted, but there were still many more to go.
