A/N: hey! I apologize sincerely that I haven't updated in so long, too much has been going on and I haven't had the inspiration or …well lets just leave it at that shall we. Lol. This chapter isn't my best; I still haven't gotten back into the swing of things yet. Holidays are coming up so I shall be updating (hopefully) more regularly.
Chapter Six- The Third Traveler
The door bell rang and Lupin hurried to get it, leaving Harry and Hermione in the kitchen, alone.
Lupin opened the door with a friendly, yet unsure smile. Ron stared at Lupin curiously, as he bid him hello.
"Just a quick word of word of warning," whisper the former DADA teacher. "Hermione's not in such a great mood. She just found out about you traveling with us, and well… let's just say she didn't take it too well".
"Ah, I see," replied Ron as they entered the kitchen to find Harry and Hermione deep in conversation, with hands clasped. Ron was surprised, but not fazed. All three had been friends for near on seven years now. It's not as if it could mean anything…
Lupin coughed, and Harry and Hermione turned. Ron's ears, Harry noticed, were a pale shade of red.
l Come on Ron l he thought to himself, feeling his face and ears redden more. l you were composed as you left home, seeing Harry shouldn't change that. So what he broke your sister's heart, no big deal! l
Ron's face heated even more at the last thought. Hermione, sensing that Ron had obviously found out about Harry and Ginny's break up, decided to step in before… well before anyone could become to aggressive.
"Ron, may I talk to you," Ron's tense faced relaxed slightly as he heard Hermione's familiar calming voice. Hermione walked slowly into the hall, turning her head slightly, so that she could see as to whether Ron was following her or not.
As they stood in the dim hall Hermione looked into Ron's eyes and cautiously said,
"talk to me",
"he broke her heart," he said through clenched teeth, his face tensing once again.
"oh Ron," she said exasperatedly. "he just wants to be normal; you know Harry would swap lives with you any day. You can't blame a guy for being wrong every now and again.
"he broke her heart," he repeated, in true older brother style. "my best mate, Harry potter, broke my only sister's heart."
"he can't help it if he doesn't love her in the same way she does him. He could kid himself and Ginny any longer. Love just can't be procured out of no where."
"you make it sound as if you know something I don't," Ron all but yelled. Hermione gazed at the floor. Ron who had not been being entirely serious, now knew something was definitely wasn't as it should be.
After another five minutes or so of Hermione attempting (with a bit of success) to calm Ron they entered the kitchen once more.
Harry was feeling rather uncomfortable under Ron's accusing fixed eyes, nonetheless Harry asked about how his packing was coming along. To which Ron replied,
"I actually haven't started yet, mate". This lighten the mood a little. Harry and Lupin continued packing, double speed, so that they could then return too the Weasley's to pack Ron's things.
At quarter past two, Harry announced that after five hours he had finished.
Harry was rather hesitant to go to as he knew that would mean facing up to the Weasley's. These people had helped him immensely and now, as pay back Harry had caused their only daughter terrible- possible long lasting- heartache. So, at the last minute the brave 'Chosen One' bailed.
"I…I… should do some more research you know just incase. Plus we can't take too many books with us…" Hermione understood so quickly said her goodbyes and exited through the fire with Ron before he had time to think of a rebuttal.
As Harry sat in the drawing Ron of grimdulan reading primary sources from people who had fought death eaters and lived to tell the tale, he worried.
Obviously Ginny hadn't told Ron everything, but it was just a matter of time before someone let something slip.
