While Harry was at the Ministry, Ginny, Hermione, and the kids walked down the crowded rows of the Quidditch Stadium, to their front row seats. Chudley Cannons flags adorned the rows, as well as some for the opposing team, the Turkish Titans. A cool wind blew in the air and Hermione's bushy brown strands of hair wavered. She had a vacant expression fixed on her face and she walked down the aisle clutching Victoria's hand tightly. Ginny held her arm to brace her. She looked furtively from Hermione to the stairs, watching out for any mishaps. They finally found their seats and sat down. Ron was now in the entrance hallway, out of sight from the crowd. His teammates were rhythmically grooming themselves and doing special good luck charms to help them succeed. Ron straightened his knee pads and tightened them, a hard look on his face. He stood up and flexed his muscles. He looked down the hall to see a familiar face walking by. It was Mr. Hawking, the Minister of Criminal Offenses. His curly red hair was tightly groomed and his monocle gleamed in the streaks of sunlight that filtered through the wooden stands.
He noticed Ron and smiled, "Weasley my boy!" he said in a booming voice, and chuckled, "Ready for the game?"
Ron sighed, "Oh hello Mr. Hawking. I honestly don't know how to feel at this moment...it's just that...," Ron trailed off, remembering that Mr. Hawking himself knew about Andrew.
Mr. Hawking put a hand to his shoulder, "It's okay son, I know your situation. It must be hard to feel confident at a time like this," he said calmly.
Ron nodded, "Yeah it is. Have you talked to dad lately?" he asked.
"Actually yes, we got together to discuss the budget for next year. He mentioned how everyone is doing, you know, dealing with the loss," Mr. Hawking said, adjusting his monocle.
Ron looked at him closely, "The loss? We didn't lose Andrew—Harry is going to find him," he said boldly.
Mr. Hawking fumbled with his words, "Why—oh—yes of course, but all I meant was that it was a loss, in the literal sense of the word. He is lost. Missing, if you will. But yes—we all do have an enormous amount of faith in Harry," he paused, "keep your chin up boy, something will turn up," he finished with a pat on the back and left with a word of encouragement. Ron thanked him and stepped outside into the stadium. A roar of excited cheers greeted the Chudley Cannons as they mounted their brooms. The same erupted when the Turks mounted their brooms. The referee released the quaffle and the game began. Ron flew to his post in front of the hoops. He blocked the first few shots, then missed a few. The Chudley Cannons were soon losing badly. Ginny sat, watching her brother in sympathy. Hermione sat with Victoria on the bench below her, next to Isabelle and James. James seemed busy in showing Isabelle a caterpillar he had picked up, while she shuddered in disgust. Victoria's large brown eyes followed her father's broom.
Ginny looked over at Hermione, "Hermione, are you okay? Need anything?" she asked supportively.
Hermione smiled weakly, "No Ginny, thanks. I'm fine," she said, rubbing her shoulders. Ginny didn't look convinced, but turned back to the game. After a grueling match, the snitch was caught by the Titans. Ron's face fell and he morosely landed his broom near the entrance to the change rooms. He showered sullenly and sauntered back to his wife and sister, waiting for him by the stands.
Ginny smiled helpfully, "Good game Ron, you could tell you tried your best."
Ron huffed, "Yeah right...I was a right mess and you know it," he said, looking to Hermione for some words of comfort. Ron saw that she was clearly still angry at him because she avoided his gaze uncomfortably.
"Still Ron, this wasn't the best time for a game anyways. Let's go home," Ginny proposed. Ron nodded and they left the Stadium to arrive once again at the Weasley mansion. Hermione plopped down on the couch, with Victoria in her lap. Ron and Ginny also sat down, wordless. Hermione grasped a bunch of Victoria's flaming red hair in her hands and began to braid it. Victoria didn't even twitch, and quietly sat. James and Isabelle ventured into the next room, playing a game of some sort.
"Stay where we can see you darling," Ginny warned James and Isabelle.
"Oh mum, do we have to?" James asked whining. Ginny gave him a look of daggers and he subsided quickly, knowing that look. They played in the corner of the large living room now, miffed by their lack of space. Victoria's eyes gradually became heavier and she dozed in and out of sleep. Her head finally lolled onto Hermione's lap and she fell asleep soundly. Ron got up and carried her gently to the other couch, placing her on it and covering her with a warm blanket. He smiled and kissed her forehead softly. He then went back to sit beside Hermione. The tension between the two could be split with a knife. Ginny felt awkward as she sat there.
"Look you guys, I—" she started, but was interrupted by a crack signaling the entrance of a distraught Harry. He looked at them and said hello. They returned his greeting and waited for him to say something.
"Ginny, I need to talk to you a moment," he said, and grabbed her by the arm. He led her into the kitchen and hastily sat down at the table. He explained everything that he had just witnessed and discussed with the aurors. He told her about B.H. and the anonymous note.
Ginny's mouth dropped open, "Oh my goodness…that's a surprise…but Harry—the twenty-seventh, that's tomorrow!" she exclaimed loudly.
Harry hushed her, "Yes I realize that, but we mustn't make a big deal about it, I don't want to upset Hermione."
Ginny looked at the floor, "It doesn't matter, she's already upset. Ron's being a git. He told her to 'control herself' and not cry all the time. I mean really, that's the Ron I know—totally unknowing of the workings of the female heart," she said, annoyed.
Harry frowned, "Really? Well, Ron does know how to mess up situations that are already messed. Maybe we should leave them alone for a bit to make up?" he suggested, eyeing Ginny unsurely. Ginny agreed and stood up to get a drink of water. She walked back to Harry and sat in his lap, wrapping her arms around him. She settled her head in the crook of his neck and he stroked her hair gently. She kissed him tenderly and they sat, in each other's arms. In the living room, Ron sat silently, wanting to say something to Hermione. He felt awful about what he had said. That was the main reason he failed at his game today, he had been thinking about what he told her.
He looked at her, "Hermione I'm—" he started, but she got up abruptly and walked away. Ron looked taken aback. He got up and followed her, gathering up courage to apologize to her. She walked quickly, through the kitchen, past Harry and Ginny, to the windowed oak doors that led to the backyard. Ron hastily followed her and took just a glance at Harry and Ginny, who looked quizzical. He arrived faintly breathless on the back porch, with Hermione's back to him. She paused for a second before continuing down the steps to the fish pond in the corner. Waterlilies quivered in the night wind and crickets chirped, unseen. A frog croaked on a Lily pad, while the strokes of tiny goldfish could be seen reflected in the moon-lit water. Hermione's hair blew in the wind and Ron stared at her back once again, contemplating how to approach her. She was shaking and holding her arms close to her. Ron wanted to hold her, but he couldn't bring himself to say the words he was dreading. Hermione closed her eyes and she felt the familiar prickle of tears swelling in her eyes and nose. Ron walked up to her and put his hands, one on each shoulder of Hermione's. The tears fell from Hermione's tired eyes. They penetrated her shirt, making dark blotches.
"Hermione," Ron whispered, his voice full of guilt, "I am so sorry darling…I've been a hypocrite," he paused to take a deep breath, "I asked you to control yourself, but even I couldn't do what I had asked of you. At the game today, everywhere I looked, every turn I made, Andrew's small face was in my view: his soft red hair, his tiny lips, and his big blue eyes. I couldn't play well if my life depended on it, I was too distracted. And how could I have asked you—a mother—to control your emotions when I was unable to do it myself?" he asked remorsefully.
A tiny sniffle was heard from Hermione as she turned to face him, her face glistening wet. Ron himself felt his eyes glaze.
"It's okay," Hermione said, in barely a whisper. Her lip trembled and her body shook with fear. Ron threw his arms around her grasped her tightly.
"Oh Hermione, I'm so sorry…I'm sorry darling," Ron repeated holding the back of her head. She said nothing, and held on to him, sobbing in great gasps. After quite some time, they headed back inside and were greeted by Harry and Ginny who were sitting, waiting for their return.
"I take it you guys have made up then?" Ginny asked apprehensively. Ron nodded.
Harry sighed, "Okay, then sit down. I have A LOT to tell you," he said. Ron and Hermione sat down and Harry told them all about B.H. and the twenty-seventh.
"So…that's tomorrow," Ron said, gulping. Hermione nodded slowly, stifling a yawn.
"I think I'm going to head upstairs to bed," she said, standing up.
"Alright darling," Ron said kissing her cheek, "do you need me to take you upstairs?" he looked concerned.
Hermione shook her head, "No thanks, I'm alright."
"No you aren't, young lady. I'm going to take your stubborn arse upstairs," Ginny said grabbing her arm and leading her to the giant staircase.
"That's my wife," Harry said, smiling.
"That's my sister," Ron said as he rolled his eyes. Him and Harry sat together a while, just talking.
Upstairs, Hermione slipped into her pajamas and snuggled underneath her blankets.
Ginny kissed her forehead, "You sleep well honey, get some rest," she said quietly, "I'm going to stay here until you fall asleep." Hermione vaguely heard her last words, as she was drifting off to sleep.
A/N: I'm sorry for the wait, school is almost starting for me and University is a whole other pickle of peppers! I know this isn't an exciting chapter, but I'll post the next chapter tomorrow---which IS exciting! Oooooohhhh you guys will squirm at that one. This chapter is essential though, just to show the whole Ron/Hermione sadness thing. And um for those of you find personal connections to my story---know that it's in no way based on you, lol. (e.g. if B.H. are your initials I aplogize, lol.). Keep reviewing and reading! See ya next time.