Breaking Boundaries
By: Somewhere Sky

Disclaimer: Of course, as always - the rights to the Harry Potter realm of fiction belongs solely
to J.K Rowling and her brilliant mind. Although I may admit, I shall always be slightly jealous.

Chapter 12:
Making Time For Love

Hermione had known, she had known the night before and she had known during their breakfast meal that morning – she had known that the day ahead of her was not going to live up to par. Something about the drizzle outside the window, the falling hail and the announcement that the students would not be able to visit Hogsmeade that weekend that had Hermione a little shaken about her day; Hermione could have dealt with this but it was hearing that Ginny hadn't cared to avoid detention that was the final straw to what could have been a mediocre day.

Hermione wasn't angry; she wasn't at all flustered or frustrated. Ginny was known to get into a scrape here or there at Hogwarts. Some might call it trouble but Hermione called it a hobby. If anything Hermione was more disappointed than anything, after all the drama and misunderstandings the couple had had the last few months or so, Hermione was looking forward to their date – to quality time.

Was it so terrible that she was going to spend the following day alone? Maybe, was it pathetic that she knew that this would happen? Most definitely, but Hermione Granger was no quitter. This measly mistake was not going to destroy what could have been an excellent day for the two young women. Yet, Hermione couldn't help but let out a small giggle on her way to the common room – of course Ginny was the one who had to let her red-headed temper destroy Mr. Dean Thomas's notebooks after he spat a few unkindly words. With Ginny, the punishment was always well deserved.

This all reminded Hermione of the many reasons why she loved the, small, perfectly shaped, Weasley girl. She had ambition and drive, Ginny had spunk and she was brilliant but above all Ginny loved Hermione – Ginny chose Hermione.

As if her thoughts weren't distracting enough, Hermione had crashed full force into what she thought was a wall but then realized with books splattered across the marble floor and a very large "ow" to follow that it was in fact a body.

Ron's to be exact.

Hermione's first reaction was to drop down to her knees and aid him in picking up his books again, but she stood there, hesitating on whether or not she should. This wasn't typical of Hermione, even in crisis she'd help a friend but Ron hds lost her faith, he lost her respect and so she did help him but she promised not to be happy about it.

"You just can't leave your books alone can you 'mione?" Ron laughed.

Hermione made a nervous sort of chuckle, continuing to pile his books in his hands as he stared at her. She didn't stop once to respond, or to show any sort of kind gesture – she remained numb towards him aiming desperately to just get away and quickly. Hermione hadn't anticipated the feel of Ron's rough hands grasping hers over top of Hogwarts A: History. She could see his face inching closer, Hermione with no time to react was faced with Ron's lips on hers. Hermione was able to push him and his wet lips away just in time to notice the longing in his eyes.

"I just had to know 'mione," he said. His face was looking down; their hands no longer together, it was the first time Hermione had seen a vulnerable side of Ron. All she had been accustomed to was his temper as of late. She had gotten herself used to being yelled at from across a room, table or between friends. But in that moment, Ron was human and he needed his friend more than ever.

"You know where my heart lays Ronald, Ginny is the one I love now. It's not to say I never loved you though, I did – I loved you so much Ron – I didn't expect to fall in love with Ginny and I am so sorry that you've been ... I don't know but you have to know I'm sorry."

Ron said nothing; he merely nodded slightly in understanding and even smiled a little. "Do you think we could move past all this bloody nonsense Hermione?" he asked her with his charming smile.

"Yes Ronald, I'd like that – but ..."

"What is it?"

"You can't get upset ..."

Ron looked at her with a spiked eyebrow and a not so pleasant smile, as if he already knew what she was about to mention. As if he knew she was going to bring up Draco.

"You know that Draco – I mean ... Malfoy ..."

"I know that too 'mione and its fine, if you could give me a second chance I can give him half a chance or maybe a third of a chance." He said with a large and inviting smile.

Hermione laughed finally excited that something was going well.

Hermione was glad. After imagining her day to be quite dreadful and full of horrible surprises, she was instead greeted with a better kind of surprise – the kind that makes your heart swirl in joy and in excitement; the kind of surprise that makes you truly happy.

Ron smiled almost as if he knew what Hermione was thinking, as if he could see through her eyes that she missed his friendship, his loyalty and his absolutely absurd sense of humour.

"So … uh … where were you headed, before I –"

"So rudely smashed into me?" Ron replied with smirk. "I was headed to detention."

"Wait, you too?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's just that Ginny's in detention too."

"Oohh, I think I her'd about that. She's always abusing some kid somewhere in this place." He told her, reaching in his bag for a piece of parchment.

"Is that?" Hermione questioned.

"Yup, Harry lent it to me," Ron smiled, but seeing Hermione's glare, the smile was wiped off immediately," he said after he ran into you – you kind of had a fit and so he figured that if he hadn't done anything wrong and you flamed up at him he thought maybe I better be careful in empty hallways. It was all just harmless fun, but I got to use the map!"

Hermione tried desperately to ignore her frustration, Harry should not be using what is no longer necessary and he should definitely not put a valuable such as the Marauder's Map in Ronald Weasley's possession.

"What do you plan to do with that Ronald Weasley?" Hermione asked and she had almost regretted asking as soon as the words slipped from her lips.

"Find Ginny of course."

"And what do you propose we do when we have in fact found her?"

"Well, get her out of course!" Ron shouted as he grabbed Hermione's hand and they darted down the hallway in search of Hermione's Girlfriend.

They hadn't expected to find Ginny in McGonagall's old classroom, in f; act they were so surprised that they hurried away from the door in fear of being spotted by the teacher in charge. With McGonagall as the Head Mistress, no one had put much thought into her replacement: A small, pudgy woman, her nose far too large and her eyes very far apart.

Hermione shoved Ron away from the door and looked at the tag, Mrs. Millywed. The name was unfamiliar and the teacher even more so.

Brave as she was, Hermione stepped forward. Not glancing at all in Ginny's direction as Ron watched from the hallway.

"Excuse me Mrs. Millywed, I have orders for Ms. Ginny Weasley, she is wanted in the potions room. " Hermione spoke, her voice failing to crack and seeming very confident. Hermione had placed her arms behind her back as she spoke.

Ginny, upon hearing Hermione's voice, looked up and smiled. She had been thinking about the brunette for the last hour and had only hoped Hermione could find her way into that room.

The teacher looked up from her desk, her eyes shifting between Hermione and Ginny, and resting finally on the fear in Hermione's eyes.

"Ms. Granger is it?" she asked.

Hermione nodded.

"Ginny, follow Ms. Granger to the classroom, you have had your time for today but be sure to have' s arrived tomorrow precisely at the same time, otherwise I may not be so kind as to let you off as easily next time."

Ginny left with Hermione, without a word and without a look back. The two women rushed into the hallway. Neither girl could stop her arms from wrapping around the other. Neither could prevent their lips from finally connecting after such a long time.

"Aren't you two supposed to be going somewhere?" Ron mumbled with one hand covering his eyes. He peeked through two of his fingers to see if the women had finished snogging. Both girls looked at Ron and giggled, they nodded at him, and waved before heading off on their date.

Ah. One more after this and the story is complete, excited? I am!
Read & Review as always, you know I love to hear your feedback.

Somewhere Sky