I don't own Harry Potter, or anyone else involved; even though that would be pretty fun… ah well such as life.
It had been eight years, eight incredibly long years. Hermione was 26 years old, Ginny being a year younger, was only 25. Hermione had been working for the ministry for sometime, and was unceremoniously engaged to Percy Weasley.
Ginny on the other hand, straight out of Hogwarts, was recruited to the Irish International Quidditch team. She was happy to do it, the Irish had an amazing team, and she was proud to be known as one of Europe's best chasers. She did not get much lime light at Hogwarts, Harry took most of the credit for the wins, plus he was an amazing seeker, so Ginny tended to be over looked.
But she still made it to Ireland, where she had been living and working for the last eight years. Ginny missed her family and friends terribly, but she still needed to be away, " It's for my own good…" she told herself unconvincingly. She had heard of the impending marriage of Percy and Hermione. It hit her like a dagger through the heart. She had not gotten over Hermione, eight years, and still the thought of her even made her blush. They had become even closer through Ginny's last years at Hogwarts, and it was hard not being able to see her friend, for the past eight years anyways.
Hermione was hurt, Ginny believed, because they had not kept in touch. However, with traveling and matches, Ginny barely had time to take care of herself, let alone keep in close touch with everyone from her past. She really was avoiding Hermione however, whether she wanted to admit it or not. She still found herself longing to be with her, to see her, to hear her name. Ginny knew she needed to be away from the situation and concentrate on her own life, and in doing so Hermione could be happy with her own life.
Therefore, Ginny found herself in quite a quandary. Her older brother Ron was getting married to Lavender Brown, and of course, Ginny had been invited to the wedding. Hermione was bound to be there… which made the insides of Ginny squirm. She knew she had to go, she just did not know how to face her past, a past that had haunted her for eight years.
She arrived the afternoon of the wedding, it was the soonest she could possibly make it. She appaperated slightly down the road from the Burrow, she wanted to make sure she looked appropriate for a wedding.
She had always been a tomboy; she had grown up with six older brothers, and was at least now trying to make that work to her advantage. She was wearing a pair of nicely cut black pinstriped pants. The pinstripes where accentuated with green and they made her look quite tall. One of the many things that she had inherited from her family was her height.
She had a white-buttoned top, which was very feminine to offset the rather masculine pants. Along with her, pointed black dragon skin heels, she knew she looked good. It had only taken her three days to finally decide what to wear. Her hair was straightened and pulled back into a ponytail. She had great silver earrings with green accents.
She felt a little odd, going stag to a wedding was never a comfortable position to be in, but she did not really care. She knew how to handle herself in situations where she was alone. She also did not bring anyone because the papers had been saying that she was seeing a famous witch, rumors she greatly wanted to dispel (although they had been true for a time.) So she went alone.
She was very nervous, aside from the occasional quidditch game in Britain, she had not seen anyone in quite sometime. She had not been back to the burrow since she had left for Ireland.
As she walked up the dirt road, she could hear the celebration going on ahead, and the closer she got, the tighter her stomach became.
She had almost convinced herself to turn around, until she saw, through the kitchen window, her mother's head sharply turn around and stare in her direction.
"Oh my goodness..." Mrs. Weasley stated in awe.
"What is it mum?" Ron asked, munching on a chocolate frog.
"I think I see your sister walking up the road!" She said, tears starting to slowly fall down her face.
The room went silent, everyone now staring at Mrs. Weasley.
"Ginny's here?" Harry and Hermione asked in unison, as they turned and smirked at each other.
"Oh fuck, that is Ginny!" Ron exclaimed with a tone of joy in his voice.
"Ron! Do not use that type of language while you are under this roof!" Shouted Mrs. Weasley.
Hermione's stomach was suddenly seized in knots. Why did she feel this way? Was it that she had not seen her best friend in so long? Or was it something else, almost embarrassment, embarrassment that she was with Percy, taking the easy way out.
"Hold on a minute.." Hermione thought to herself. Why should I be embarrassed of Percy, he is a hard working guy that is going to go far in the ministry.
"Because you don't love him," said the voice in her head.
"I haven't felt this way in a long time," Hermione thought… "Shit…"
