Chapter Nine
Ginny made good on her promise to Cho, they had met in the time saving room an hour before dinner and did their homework, then because it was actually four hours later and they were starving, they went to have dinner with Hermione. They worked out for a couple of hours after dinner, Ginny running with the patience of a saint and the enthusiasm of a passionate marathon runner!
The next morning while they were training Cho reminded Ginny that the following weekend was the Hogsmeade Village weekend.
"Do you want to walk into town with me on Saturday? We could have lunch?"
"Sure, sounds great. I'll ask Hermione, I am sure she will want to come as well."
Cho didn't reply but redoubled her effort at the weigh station, as the pair continued working out, Ginny continued to give way to Cho because it was her match against Hufflepuff the following day.
"Are you nervous?" Ginny asked Cho, referring to the next day's match.
"I don't think so. I'm excited, I feel confident. Do you think selectors really will come?"
"Yes, I do. Especially to see you, they will remember you and want to see if you are still good,"
"Don't flatter me, Weasley."
"I'm not, it's an investment to them, isn't it, finding high quality, relatively unknown players and sign them up cheaply before their competition gets a chance to."
"I suppose."
"You know you are talented, Chang, and you certainly work harder than anyone."
"Yes and yes, but how talented am I? That's the question."
"You can only control what you can control, and you are doing that. Also, you are finishing this final year of school no matter what, that's already decided, so enjoy the ride."
"You sound like my therapist!"
"I must be right, then."
"Yeah, I think you are, thanks, Weasley."
"You're welcome, Chang."
Ginny walked back to the Gryffindor common room after lunch.
"Cho asked me to go to Hogsmeade next Saturday, want to come?"
"No."
"Just 'no'? Why not?"
"Cho asked you and you're asking me?"
"Of course, what are you on about?"
"I will say it again - Cho asked you to go with her to Hogsmeade?"
"Yes."
"Why are you asking me?"
"The three of us can't go? It's not a date."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course I'm sure, Hermione, what's got into you?"
"Ginny Weasley, are you honestly going to stand there and tell me that you do not have romantic feelings for Cho Chang?"
Ginny blinked. She sucked in some oxygen and opened her mouth in preparation to say something but was unable to form words. She had never lied to Hermione. And she hadn't intended to lie to Hermione now, but she hadn't realised. Oh she knew she had had a crush on Cho, who wouldn't? Who didn't? She is clever, funny, gorgeous and loves Quidditch. Ginny had to stop herself from perving on her friend when she worked out but she didn't know it was more than that. And it is more than that.
"Right," said Hermione, "Thanks for thinking of me, but I will pass. Enjoy yourself."
"How did you know?"
"Everyone knows, Ginny. The pair of you are joined at the hip, practically drinking out of each other's goblets, talking about each other incessantly, staring at each other… need I go on?"
Ginny coloured and fought an impulse to deny it, but she couldn't.
"You're not upset?"
"Upset? Why would I be upset? I can go to Hogsmeade anytime."
"No, about Cho?"
"Well unlike the rest of Hogwarts, I do not have a crush on Cho Chang, so no, I am not upset."
"I mean because she is a woman," said Ginny, finally expressing herself adequately.
"You are as good as my sister, Ginny, I love you and nothing you could do would upset me. Except, possibly, inviting me to third wheel on your date."
"It's not a date. Are you sure she likes me?"
"If it is not a date now, it will likely become one, and yes, I am very sure."
"Because I don't want to make a fool of myself."
"Cho is an exceptional person, there is no shame in being turned down by her. But she wont turn you down. Also, you are an outstanding person in your own right, if she does turn you down, which she won't, there is no shame in that either. It just might not be the right time for her or something."
"Oh, yeah, bad timing," Ginny's thoughts trailed off, after what Cho had so recently shared, this was most certainly a case of some very bad timing.
The next day was Sunday, game day. Ginny and Cho did not train, they slept in and prepared for the first Quidditch game of the year - Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff. Ginny sent Cho an owl, which was funny because their rooms were in practically the same spot in their own tower, at either end of the castle, if Ginny could lean out of her window far enough, she could almost see Pigwidgeon make his delivery. It was a good luck note, and to say that if she didn't see her in the Great Hall for breakfast she would see her at the Quidditch Pitch.
Ginny and Hermione walked downstairs together and ate a plate of scrambled eggs and toast, Ginny looked around for Cho the whole time and Hermione pretended not to notice. Hermione had never felt all that romantic, even when she had been going out with Viktor Krum or Ginny's brother, Ronald. Theirs had been more like a work husband/wife relationship, actually more like mother/son - her nagging and prodding, him dragging his feet and complaining. Hermione shuddered and turned back to reread her copy of The Quibbler, she tried never to think about Ron, things did not end well.
Things had been going poorly for a while, she could see now, using her 20/20 hindsight; Ron had been lost for a long time, with no obvious talent and an aversion to the application of effort, he had never really had a direction, an idea or even an interest of his own, except Chess. Unlike Harry or Hermione who had, independently of each other, had been completely committed to defeating Voldemort, completely committed. If either one had stopped for whatever reason, the other would have battled on alone.
But Ron had not shared their commitment, he really only went along because he was used to going along. He had no drive, no plans, he was just following, like at school. He had followed them on their journey, resisting, whinging and moaning and his attitude just got worse, it was like travelling with a large, irresponsible, tired, ill tempered baby who wanted constant feeding.
In some ways it had been a relief when he had picked that fight with Harry, threw a tantrum and left. Oh sure she had cried for two weeks straight but there were other things going on at the time, like her finally having realised that she was in love with Harry. But she had never forgiven Ron for his abusive treatment of her, his bullying, blaming and berating her - Hermione was shocked that she had put up with it, she had never thought she would see the day when she would have an abusive boyfriend, but there you go.
She had wished that he had never returned, Harry had not been all that impressed either but neither of them were going to say anything. They were on a mission, there were bigger things at play. And together, the pair of them each had their role, they each worked hard, supported the other and worked well together. Ron being here or there, was actually - here or there, at the end of the day. He had tried to get back together with her, multiple times, even after the war, she finally shouted the truth into his face - that she didn't love him, she didn't even like him, in fact she wished that she would never have to see him again.
Hermione had remained close with Harry however. They would always be close, no matter what, they had been through too much together. She had told him she was returning to Hogwarts and he had chosen to go travelling. On their last day before she came away to school, she had told him that she loved him, she didn't want a response now, he was to go travelling and enjoy himself. She said that if he felt the same about her, that he might like to meet her off the Hogwarts Express at Kings Cross Train Station, Platform 9¾ at the end of the school year.
Hermione felt great. She was doing what she wanted to do, going to school, following her path, her dream, her plan. She could not control what Harry was going to do, but either way she knew she would be okay. They had sent and received a couple of short owls, just a simple catch up, nothing suggestive, nothing romantic or deep. Whatever happened, they would always be in each other's lives, he would meet her or he would give her time to accept his decision to pass on her invitation, and then they would learn how to be friends again. Always.