CHAPTER 6: Making amends

Hermione sat there quietly having her breakfast, it had been over an hour that no one came up to collect the break fast or help her get to the bathroom. This annoyed her to no end. Finally Ginny made her presence known, "Finished?"

"Yes!" Before Ginny could pick up the tray Hermione held the tray tightly so Ginny could not take it away. "Please Ginny! Lets talk, I know there is more to what we talked about, stay…I miss talking to you…please?" said Hermione

Ginny's eyes softened and at the same time, trying to look as if she was doing her a favor – sat down at the edge of the bed. After some quiet moment, Hermione broke the silence…

"Thanks! So how are you doing Ginny?" asked Hermione very formally!

"I am alright, you?" Ginny asked sincerely.

"Better thanks! Ginny I am sorry about last time. I did not mean any of those things I said; I just wanted to comfort you but things took a 180 degrees turn and I have no idea what made me say all those things (though she knew very well, what made her – Ginny's over reacted tantrum but she dared not say it because she seriously missed her)

Ginny after a long pause replied, "Hermione you don't understand at all…you would not understand…because you have well you have never …" Ginny stopped herself, "Well you didn't understand then so you won't understand now"

Meanwhile outside the room; Harry had come upstairs to use the extendable ears from Ron's window in order to listen to Charlie and Remus's conversation; they chose to talk outside around the burrow, ended up being below Ron's room…because there were too many interruptions inside. But upon reaching the door he heard Hermione talking. He faintly heard the word relationship soo he just used the extendable ears in order to listen to what Hermione was talking about and with whom….

"Ginny it's no good if you don't talk…I know I never had a relationship or a boyfriend but that doesn't mean I won't understand. Last time things took such an abrupt change that we never got to the real point; please tell me what's bothering you…I'll try to sort it out for you somehow…" replied Hermione.

"This is the thing that bothers me Hermione…don't you get it ... why should you be there solving our problems…it is always you that has a solution to something in his mind…since you want to know then listen …

Well you see Hermione the thing is I was with Harry but then I was never WITH HIM…at the end of the day he always ran towards you or Ron. I sometimes felt like only a snogging buddy – he would have these meetings with Dumbledore; whenever I asked him he would point blank refuse to talk about it and would change the subject. He would crack jokes or would start talking about quidditch…" after a pause she continued, "there was this time when arranged to meet after his session with Dumbledore…he came to meet me in hall a bit shaken up…we walked out quietly; I asked him what the matter was and he just told me that it was nothing and we continued with our walk. We were sitting by the lake when I started to kiss him and it seemed he was miles away that he didn't even know I was there…he responded back but I could see his mind was miles away and when we stopped, he didn't even look in my eyes. He just sat there and then he got up saying well more like talking to himself I am sure Hermione knows something about the heirs of Hogwarts, she has read so much…with that said he got up and just apologized for cutting it short and that he had some important stuff to be discussed with you. "Ginny said all this with clear hurt in her eyes.

Hermione felt sorry for Ginny and understood what she meant, "I am sorry Ginny! I wish you told me all this earlier; I would've talked to Harry…" but was interrupted by Ginny.

"No Hermione! You don't get it! Tell me this … would you have stopped talking to Harry? Would you have stopped being friends with him or an over shadowing person on him… you see Hermione I know it is not entirely your fault…that was just one thing I told you about our time together – I had been the happiest person I had ever been. I didn't want anything else in my life at that point because I got what I always dreamed of. But Hermione, while you are share such a huge part of his mind, I don't think Harry can ever have a relationship. So your talking won't do him good because you are the REASON and yet you don't understand. I had relationships before Harry, I never felt this way then…I knew every part of their lives…I knew what their favorite colors were, what their future plans were, where they lived, about their family etc well they shared everything even if it was a trivial thing. Harry never talked about personal stuff with me, even though I let him know of everything. He never even talked about his one date with Cho…Ron told me about it…remember when I asked you how it went…you just told me that it didn't go as planned and you never bothered to tell me the details…why is it that Ron could tell me and you could not because all three of you are best friends…"

Hermione listened to all this with patience…kept quiet because she wanted to sort out this mess with Ginny and still gave her some time in case she had more on her chest…

Ginny did have more to say, "Well Hermione these are the things that has been bothering me. I am sorry to blame it all on you but its true; while you are around he will never have a decent relationship; you force yourself way too much in all aspects of his life that there is not space left for anyone else to take. You don't realize it but you are doing that, with Ron's relationship you showed your true colors and even that never lasted… I am sorry but that's how things are and I don't want to give up on Harry. I want to be there with him every step of his life. Why doesn't he get it that I don't care about the danger associated with him, I am willing to take up that risk without hesitation. Hermione I proved my bravery when death eaters attacked, why doesn't he see that, he told you when you were not even there fighting…Merlin help me! Still you get to know everything I don't…." after a long pause when Hermione felt she had nothing else to add to all that.

Hermione requested something off Ginny first, " I want you to listen to me quietly without interrupting me please!" then started talking again, " So some of the things you said that day in Hogwarts were true…you really do think that way about me…anyway forget that; Let me tell you something Ginny…When Harry is out there (she hesitated before continuing because she did not want to disclose the truth about prophecy) ( Outside Harry held his breath for he thought Hermione will tell Ginny about the prophecy…) I mean the next time Harry faces God forbid some sort of problem like the department of mysteries he wouldn't want the same fate for you as Sirius. He would never want Voldermort (Ginny shivered a little over hearing Dark Lord's name – Hermione ignored and continued) … to use you like he did when you were in your first year. (Outside Harry let out a sigh of relief) …

… Harry cares too deeply about you now more than ever to risk losing you. You have to understand his reasons. Harry will always treasure what he had with you; I have never in my six years seen him this way. He is mostly snapping at me – well at both Ron and me. With me things have always been serious, even during our fourth year when Ron wasn't talking to me and he was stuck with me…Ginny he was never happy or talked about regular stuff…when Ron entered the scene he became better and less irritated. He enjoyed his company and the same thing he did with you, Ginny…he enjoyed your company that will never be the case, Its always ...well I don't know what word to use when he hangs around with me...well its relaxed and quiet. You are lucky that he shared the warmth with you that he shared with Ron and had feelings for you that he never had for anyone else, not even Cho. You shared something with him that nobody else would. You made him forget about other things while I was a constant reminder of those…you have no idea how irritated he felt with me. I admit that he tells me stuff because I am his best friend. I care deeply for him, I care a lot! I worry about him every minute but see that's how even he sees me – and he needed a break from all this in order to enjoy a regular boy's life which he had a chance to experience with u. I have never seen him with a constant smile on his face for such long stretched hours…Ginny it was you. I am sure he still misses you; he has always been secretive, give him time when all these problems are over … I am sure he'll find it in his heart to tell you everything. I would never disclose things about him that he doesn't wish me to. I am sorry I can't tell you things you are asking me about him… you see I will always be a friend to him and Ron both.

As far as showing my true colors to Ron is concerned…Ginny you are right, no guy other than Viktor has ever shown slightest interest in me. Ron's jealousy was due to other reasons I suppose and the only reason I behaved that way around him and Lavender was because it hurt me. You told me how Ron told you about liking me as more than a friend – I was happy Ginny, I really was because Ron always had crush over the most beautiful girls and same goes for Harry… so in such circumstances when you told me Ron admired me; I just felt good and wanted to pursue it. Remember you told me he is too shy to admit his feelings…well I took things in my own hands…God I sure made a food out of myself…I am glad you told me you lied about the whole thing! I went in the direction of little affection that was given to me … first it was Viktor and he was all I could think about…then he left, after that you dropped hints that Ron liked me so I went in that direction again. I am sorry but I don't get admired by people like you do.

Anyway Ginny I am drifting off the topic here. You need to talk about all this with Harry since you don't want me to get involved. I won't but try to get some alone time with him and talk to him. Trust me when I tell you that he was really happy when he was with you, very relaxed something I always longed to see him as…"

Ginny finally stood up and took the tray, "Hmm Thanks, I am glad we had this talk, and I am sorry about lying to you about Ron liking you as more than a friend… I know we won't be friends like we were but I am ready to start from somewhere…"

Outside Harry who stood shocked listening to all this, immediately pulled the ear away and dashed towards the bathroom.

"I would like that – I would like that very much Ginny and please Thank Mrs. Weasley for the wonderful breakfast" Hermione said with a genuine smile on her face.

"Ok I will, umm bye then" – said Ginny with a smile too and left.

Ginny felt better after hearing Hermione's words…and that what she had with Harry was special – it sure was special." If I don't do anything about it then it will remain a thing of past, I need to do something to keep it this way" thought Ginny.

Author's note: THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE for the kind reviews! Keep guiding me about writing style as well. Hey tell me I used some bad words in last chapter do I need to change the rating in case I plan to use them again?

I'll might not be this prompt after this chapter – I am working full time and then studying as well and now Finals are ahead so that's why! Love you all. And yeah Merry Christmas.  (Writing author's note makes me feel so mature … don't know why – don't call me stupid please!)