Breaking Boundaries
By: Somewhere Sky
Disclaimer: Of course, as always - the rights to the Harry Potter realm of fiction belongs solely to
J.K. and her brilliant mind. Although I may admit, I shall always be slightly jealous.
Chapter 6:
Stricly Off Limits
The day had finally come, after months of isolation and torture with the war having gone on for almost a year, and with everyone falling out of sync with one another. It seemed to be that going back to Hogwarts this year just proved that things really were going to change. They of course had lost a few, a lot actually to the fight against Lord Voldemort – but at the same time, it seemed as though they had also gained much more insight on the world. For example, Hermione heard from McGonagal before summer that there would still be house tables – but much more enforcement when it came to lowering competition levels, and increasing intolerance for prejudices amongst the houses.
Hermione had been worried that with the events of the previous year, and with all of the troubles and excitement caused by the Golden Trio, that it would be best to assume that she wouldn't be making Head Girl like she had hoped for. With a constant thirst for knowledge and perfection, no one could see a better fit. The head boy was to be a Hufflepuff from her year who had also returned for his final term at Hogwarts.
Harry and Ron had left momentarily to chase down the trolly carrying assorted snacks and desserts for the students comfort. They had been late getting onto the train after being caught in the middle of a group of first years saying their good-byes to mummy and daddy before they left. Hermione hoped that when they had been 11 it wasn't quite as pathetic back then. However, with the boys gone Ginny was expecting Hermione's undivided attention, and as usual Hermione's mind was always somewhere else.
"Hermione?" Ginny whispered, trying not to spook Hermione who had been taken adrift by her thoughts. To try and gather the woman's attention Ginny had placed a soft cheek on the older girl's cheek. So much for not frightening the dreamer.
"Ginny! Not here, someone could see!" Hermione had yelled. Not meaning to say it so loudly or rudely for that matter. She had yet to be comfortable with their relationship – if you could call it that. The way Hermione saw it, they were both strongly attracted to one another, a quick kiss here hand holding beneath the table in private, and maybe a snogging session occasionally; but there were no exchange of feelings whatsoever.
"Everyone's busy catching up and talking about the war, they won't be around for - " Ginny was interrupted by the opening of their compartment door. The sound had stopped Ginny in her tracks. She looked at Hermione who's eyes shot an "I told you so" in every possible direction. Both Ron and Harry had returned, and along with some company too. Stepping up behind the boys was Neville and Luna who Hermione noted were holding hands.
"Luna, how have you been?" Hermione asked ignoring the pleas from Ginny to be starting any conversation. These were their friends, friends who fought for such a worthy cause and supported Harry, Ron and Hermione despite the remaining public's belief. Hermione wasn't going to brush them off so that Ginny could get in some momentary snogging.
"It could have been better, we planted a Rakspurt tree in the garden." Luna told them, her eyes floating curiously around the cabin. It always seemed as though she was watching some strange spectacle occurring before her very eyes, something she had never seen before. Hermione sometimes envied the other girls ability to see the beauty in everything. Her imagination was as phenomenal as Hermione's intelligence, if only the two personality traits didn't clash so badly.
"What the... bloody hell is a... Rakspurt garden?" Ron asked Luna, his voice breaking in between words as he struggled to catch the chocolate frog that found itself hopping along the floor.
"Keeps the Rakspurts comfortable, they get chilly you know, without any skin." Luna repeated, ducking her head down to watch Ron as he chased after his snack.
"Neville, what about you? I haven't heard you say a word since you've climbed in." Harry asked the less hefty boy than they had remembered from most of their years at Hogwarts. The chubby cheeks and larger figure were no longer going to be associated with Neville Longbottom, but his courage and scars would make him noticeable forever.
"Gran hasn't been back yet, I've gone lookin' all over I swear it – but she's just gone off and not returned even after you-know-who. I figure she mustn't be as proud of me as I thought she was."
"Oh Neville, of course your Gran is proud – she's probably just vacationing somewhere, I bet she assumed that because you were so great during the war – you wouldn't need her guidance any longer." Ginny suggested to the quivering boy.
"Ginny's right Neville, you have no reason to worry – just owl her. No harm in a few letters." Hermione told him while she stared down at her History of Magic textbook.
"I've written a few, but the owl always comes back a little strange.. I haven't a clue what she's done to him. I reckon she thought the owl belonged to someone else, I just recently got him during a visit in Diagon Alley." Neville brightened with his last sentiment. Although one of the July babies were smiling, at the thought of a precious owl Harry felt saddened. He had yet to fully grieve over the bird, that special friend who had found her way from Hagrid's giant grip into Harry's heart – and he wished it hadn't happened the way it did with the death eater killing his dearest pal.
"Oh sorry Harry, I forgot about Hedwig" said Neville. He placed one of his large beastly palms on Harry's shoulder to console the other boy, but Harry shrugged it off.
"I'm going to go see if I can find that trolly again" Harry told the group. All of them nodded without conflict, it was clear that Harry needed a moment alone, and Ginny was beginning to think that Hermione did too.
After several attempts since the previous day, Hermione done all but actually returning the gesture. Excuse after excuse even if they were able to find a small spectrum of time to be alone – Hermione refused any display of affection. Ginny was beginning to think that Hermione didn't want to be in this 'thing' at all.
So a short chapter, I've actually been feeling discouraged lately to write. It seems as though the story has lost interest in some readers. I hope everyone is enjoying themselves, but I really do hope for some more reviews – they make my day every time I see one. It gets me that much more pumped to get the next chapter going. I won't flake due to a lack of reviews, so here's a chapter – considerably shorter, and still as action-less – but don't worry we're getting there. I promise.
Somewhere Sky