Waiting and Hoping
Chapter 2
Time seemed to have lost all meaning to Hermione as she fell deeper into his blue eyes. His expression was one of surprise, anger and a hint of concern, was love there anymore. Ron blinked and broke the contact
"Hermione…what a surprise…its great to see you after so long" he smiled at her but she noticed that it didn't extend to his eyes which remained in their former state.
"Ronald" she replied nodding her head and shaking his hand.
The atmosphere in the room had changed; it became tense, close even.
Padma Patil stood and weaved her way in between the chairs to Ron and then threw herself upon him in a gesture that Hermione knew was entirely for her benefit. Ron staggered slightly and then kissed her back.
Hermione turned away from this uncomfortable scene and saw Ginny, her former best friend in the world, looking like she would like nothing more than to hex Hermione into oblivion.
Hermione recoiled slightly.
"Ginny…you look great how..."
"Why didn't you reply? I must have sent you 20 owls and not one reply!"
"Everyone outside, it's a lovely day" said Mr Weasley hurriedly and everyone bolted not wanting to be in the room when a Weasley, let alone a female Weasley, lost her temper. Ron and Harry remained behind.
"I'm sorry Ginny, I've just been really..."
"Don't you dare say busy!" You're a filer, Lydia could do it!" Ginny screamed, Hermione assumed that Lydia was the name of Charlie's daughter.
"I'm sorry Ginny, I really am I just wasn't ready, I just want to be left alone!" whispered Hermione, Ginny faltered from her angry tirade, She hated seeing Hermione like this, like she had no fight left in her and Ginny couldn't for the life of her see why.
"Hermione, please, we need to sort you out, we want the old Hermione back" this time it was Harry who spoke and it wasn't with an angry voice but a soft pleading one.
Hermione looked into his emerald eyes and knew she couldn't even tell him, she couldn't tell anyone, well except the one person who she knew wouldn't listen.
"I'm sorry I'm just not ready yet"
Harry and Ginny looked at her with pity in their eyes, Ron had left the kitchen.
"Please don't look at me like that, just leave it ok?" she left the kitchen.
Dinner was an uncomfortable affair to say the least for Hermione. Harry and Ginny kept shooting looks at her as though afraid she might start crying, Ron and Padma ignored her completely.
"Ready for that promotion yet Hermione?" asked Mr Weasley joyfully
"No thanks Mr Weasley, I like it where I am"
"You could always have a job in my department Hermione?" said Remus politely. Remus ran the Werewolf advice services and the Ministry, "You always have been the brightest witch of..."
"No honestly I'm fine where I am" Hermione cut in, she hated being told she was the brightest witch of her age, if she had been a bit brighter it wouldn't have happened, if she had been a bit brighter she wouldn't wake up every night screaming.
"You can't possibly enjoy your work Hermione, you must be the longest serving filer in the history of the ministry, most people give up after a day or two" Mr Weasley remarked
"I like it, its quiet" she replied simply
Ron looked up, apparently breaking his plan of ignoring her
"And since when did the great Hermione Granger like things quiet!" he exclaimed loudly and the table silenced instantly.
"Things have changed Rona…"
"The only thing that's changed is you!"
"I haven't changed"
"No everyone else has changed your stuck in the war, you acting like we're all going to die tomorrow!"
"Thank you for the dinner Mrs Weasley it was lovely" Hermione stood up
"No Hermione, you don't need to lea…"
"Yes she does mom, that's what she does when it gets hard, she runs. Hermione you're a coward!"
He had struck a nerve. Her face looked like thunder, silent tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"DON'T CALL ME A COWARD!" she screamed, the table flinched, and with that she ran the length of the garden and disapperated.
Hope you like it please r/r!