Chapter 3: Art Appreciation
"I'm starved, it must be time for dinner," said Ron.
"But, Ron, didn't you have a large lunch," said Harry with a wicked grin. "I assumed that was why you two almost missed the ceremony."
Hermione felt herself blushing, which annoyed her. She wasn't the least bit embarrassed about her relationship with Ron, not anymore, and in front of Harry? There wasn't much about her or Ron that Harry didn't know. Merlin, there didn't seem to be much about them that the world didn't know. Every second issue of Witch Weekly seemed to include some fascinating titbit about the "hero couple", invented or real.
The three friends had just paid a visit to Hagrid and were heading back to the castle. Those who had attended this afternoon's ceremony had been invited to stay for an informal feast in the Great Hall. Many people, though, had left after the ceremony, especially the dignitaries.
An exception was the newly elected French Minister of Magic who was a close friend of the Delacours. A widely published photo of him walking along the beach at Shell Cottage together with Bill and Fleur (la Weasley française) hadn't hurt his election chances. Hermione was keen to meet him.
People were already streaming into the Great Hall when the trio arrived. Hermione spotted her parents with the Weasleys and headed for them. She felt a little guilty that she had spent so little time with them this afternoon, but she knew Molly and Arthur would take good care of them.
The relationship between her parents and the Weasleys had been strained at first. When Hermione had restored their memories, four weeks after the battle, her parents had insisted that Hermione tell them the full truth of what she had done and what had really been happening in the wizarding world. She did. They were sickened and horrified at the danger Hermione had put herself into and the pain and injuries that had been inflicted on her. They blamed Molly and Arthur, whom they saw as being in loco parentis for Hermione in the wizarding world, for not having protected her, for allowing her to take such risks. It took some time for them to truly comprehend the calamity that had befallen the wizarding world and that had so nearly engulfed the normal world as well. It took them some time to comprehend and accept the burden their daughter had willingly assumed and understand why it was necessary.
That understanding had finally come three months after the battle as they listened to speeches, including one by the muggle Prime Minister, at a function held at Guildhall in London where their daughter, along with Ron, and Harry were inducted as members of the Order of Merlin, first class. There were other awardees, but it was clear the Hermione, Ron and Harry were the main event.
A grizzled muggle born wizard, seated at the same table as Hermione's parents, had put it into perspective for them. "How many teenagers do you see awarded knighthoods? Well, this is the equivalent. Those three had a choice, they could let true evil take control of Britain or they could take on the one deadly, almost hopeless chance to end it, a chance only they were in a position to act on."
Since then, Hermione's parents had been guests at the Burrow on several occasions and a close friendship began to develop. Arthur and Hermione's father had a parallel fascination in each other's world and spent many hours swapping stories.
Hermione sat down next to her father, with Ron on her other side. Harry sat next to Ron leaving space for Ginny, though when Ginny finally arrived in the Great Hall she ignored Harry's invitation and sat next to George, as far from Harry she could get and still be with her family.
Hermione found herself sitting opposite the Delacours and the French Minister of Magic, Laurent Morel. Hermione was amused by the comparison between gusto with which Ron attacked the food and Laurent's polite disdain of English food.
"You should try the steak and kidney pie," said Fleur in French, "it is the one English dish to die for."
Fleur then announced that Hermione spoke excellent French causing Hermione to become increasingly embarrassed with each mistake she made. It didn't help that her mother, whose French was somewhat limited, insisted on joining in.
As dessert arrived, Hermione watched Harry get up and approach Ginny. He tried to talk to her, but Ginny continually ignored him. Harry turned and walked towards the exit. Hermione saw an opportunity to extract herself from any more embarrassment and, apologising, got up and followed Harry out of the hall.
"I hope I'm not to blame for this, Harry," she said.
Harry looked at her without expression, then said "let's go for a walk."
They went out into the grounds of Hogwarts and walked in silence for some time.
"It's got nothing to do with you, Hermione. Not really, well maybe in a way."
"That's very illuminating, Harry."
Harry smiled. "It's complicated"
"Is it, or does it just seem that way. When it comes to relationships we all seem to have the knack for tying up things in complications when they are essentially simple."
"Well you would know about that," replied Harry.
"Yes I would. So is Ginny upset about the pendant you and Ron gave me?"
"She's upset that I gave her a bracelet at the same time. She thinks I was treating her as a child who needed to be placated."
"She sort of has a point. Then again…"
"Yeah, I know. It's not the real issue."
Hermione waited, leaving it to Harry to decide if he wanted to say anymore. They didn't often talk about relationships, but during the last year, as 'brother and sister' both in a serious relationship with members of the same family, so different from the families they came from, they had increasingly done so.
"You told Ginny that Ron had asked you to move in with him."
"Not directly, she figured it out and I didn't deny it."
"She is demanding to know why I haven't asked her."
"Ah"
"Yeah"
"So why haven't you. You don't have to answer that if you don't want."
"Have you decided what you are doing yet?"
Hermione felt a stab of fear. She didn't really want to make a decision yet and she didn't really want to think about it either.
"No."
"Why not? What are the issues for you."
Hermione looked searchingly into Harry's eyes, hoping to be spared this. Did she really have to think about this now. But she had to work through her fears and maybe it would be easier to talk them through with Harry.
"I wouldn't move in with anyone I was not seriously considering marrying down the track," she said.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "And that's an issue with you concerning Ron?"
"No, I can't see myself marrying anyone else or ever wanting to. It's just, it's just…"
"Just what, Hermione?"
"We are just too young, I've never lived free, never by myself, maybe I should try that before committing to a full time relationship. I know that is what my parents think."
"What do you think, Hermione? You've basically been "living free" this last nine months. How's that worked out?"
"Miserable, I've missed him so much. It's been awful really."
"As bad as the previous year?"
"No, of course not, but by far the worse time was when Ron wasn't with us. I have never been more miserable than then."
"You don't have to tell me. Look, Hermione, I don't want to persuade you one way or another. Just remember that the really important decisions, the ones that move us forward always mean giving up something we value."
"Very profound, Harry. Did you read that in Witch Weekly, 'making the right decision, is she the right witch for you'."
"Very funny."
"So your turn, what's with you and Ginny," asked Hermione.
They had reached the lake. They sat down on the ground, overlooking the lake. Harry tossed a few stones into the water.
"I don't want her to hurt herself. She's too impetuous. If I asked her to come live at Grimmauld Place she'd agree in an instant without thinking it through. Merlin knows I'd love her living with me. I just don't think she's ready and she'll get badly hurt if it doesn't work."
"She's right then, you are treating her like a child."
"I'm just protecting her."
"Your making decisions on her behalf that she should be making for herself. You did the same when you broke up with her before we started our mission. You hurt her very deeply, yourself as well."
"I didn't have a choice."
"Yes you did, Harry. First of all you could have discussed it with her first, not just make a unilateral decision. Secondly, you didn't have to break up with her privately, just make a public pretence of breaking up. If you had talked to her you could have reached a better decision and that's even more true now."
Harry rested his head on his knees and said nothing.
"Why do you think she's not ready?" asked Hermione after a while.
Harry threw another stone into the lake then turned towards Hermione.
"You and Ron, you've been best friends since you were eleven. There's not much important that you don't know about each other, good or bad. Your relationship has been tested under extreme conditions and you are still together. Ginny and I don't have that."
"Harry, you can't have what Ron and I have; your history is different. But you can have something just as wonderful. But you have to talk to her, talk through all the issues. And you don't have to do it the hard way like Ron and me. Believe me, you really don't want to wait till some bleeding Bellatrix gives you the clarity and courage to tell the person you love what you think and feel."
Harry looked long and hard at Hermione, then stood up. "we should be getting back." He held out his hand and helped Hermione to her feet, then he gave her a hug.
"I really do love you, Sis."
"You too, Harry."
When they got back to the Great Hall the crowd had thinned considerably. The younger students had all been sent to their dorms and now fire whiskey and Armagnac (a gift from Laurent Morel) were circulating freely.
Hermione saw Ron sitting with a group people, mostly older DA members. George, Bill and Fleur were there as was Gabrielle Delacour who was deep in conversation with Denis Creavey. Hermione froze when she saw Piper sitting next to Ron, leaning in to him, her long blond hair almost falling over his shoulder. Her top was low cut and she was practically flashing her boobs in Ron's face.
Even from a distance, though, Hermione could tell that Ron felt uncomfortable and was trying to ignore the leggy witch as best he could without giving offence.
"Trust," Hermione said to herself. She approached the table and sat down opposite Ron, giving him a big smile.
Ron gave her a big smile back, that turned a little sheepish when he realised how things might look. He gave a little shrug and then asked "Where have you been, my love."
"Just needed some fresh air. So what are you all looking at." Hermione pointed to the large book that was on the table.
"It's a book about to be published with a picture of each panel in the new memorial." Ron opened it to a page near the end. "This one is my favourite, it show's this truly stunning witch who, for some strange reason, is stabbing a goblet with a snake fang."
"That is curious," said Hermione, with a large grin. "Can I have a closer look?"
"Of course, my dear." Ron slid the book to Hermione.
"Mm, I wonder who this dreamy wizard is. The one supporting the witch as she stabs the cup. He looks so brave and strong."
"I don't know," said Ron, "but he must be very lucky to be with such a clever, gorgeous and daring witch."
"Do you think so, Ron. I think she is the lucky one. Look at how much strength and courage the witch is drawing from the wizard. The artist captures it perfectly. I don't think she'd have been able to stab that silly cup without him there. I think he is everything she needs."
"Ah, but you are missing the look of pride on the wizards face," said Ron pointing to the figure once more. "He is so proud of the witch, but he is even more proud just to be with her."
Other conversations in the group ceased as people tuned in to the byplay between Ron and Hermione. Most caught on to what they were doing and tried to suppress a snigger. Early on, Hermione had noted with satisfaction that Piper was turning redder and redder and had moved away from Ron but as the banter continued she forgot all about Piper. All she could see was Ron. She was talking only to Ron. The intensity of feeling, the love between the two, seared the air between them, plainly visible to all there.
It was silent for a while, then, just as conversation started up again, an owl flew into the Great Hall and plopped a scroll in front of a startled Ginny.
Hermione took advantage of the distraction. She took a quill and a piece of parchment from her purse and scribbled the message "re Grmld plce – Yes!" She slid the note to Ron whose face took on a dreamy expression. They stared into each other's eyes, holding a wordless conversation across the table. They stood simultaneously and left the hall.