The Split by Bandgeek252
Chapter 4- Neville and Remus (Again, not together ^_^)
Hermione was wandering the train patrolling. She felt a little uneasy leaving her doppelganger behind, but figured at least Ginny would keep her in line. If the boys won't, Ginny will be sure things don't get out of hand. She thought to herself as she dutifully kept an eye out for any rulebreakers. The atmosphere on the train was pretty jovial as Christmas quickly approached. She felt a small pang of sadness when she realized she wasn't going to be spending time with her parents. She truly missed their holiday traditions. Next year we will spend Christmas together. I don't care if I have to drag Ron and Harry with me or leave them behind; I will spend next year with my parents. She resolved herself as she found her doppelganger chatting with Dean and Neville.
"So you boys excited for Christmas?" Mya asked cheerfully. Hermione narrowed her eyes upon her counterpart. OH no she doesn't. She may have made eyes with Malfoy today, but I will hex her into next week if she thinks she can tart my reputation up in just two days!
Neville blushed at her flirtatious manner while Dean grinned at her cheekily. "Our last Christmas holiday from Hogwarts, you bet we're going to enjoy it."
Neville smiled at Mya, "Gran and I are planning on visiting from friends this holiday."
"Oh who? Anyone I know?" Mya asked twirling a curl on her finger. Hermione wanted to die of embarrassment.
Neville coughed, "Maybe." he leaned closer to her ear. He was so close he could smell her fragrance. She smelt of lavender. It was heavenly. Taking the opportunity to inhale it slightly, he internally sighed at the smell. Gods, she smells fantastic. He whispered, "The Order." Mya quickly nodded.
Dean stood there confused when some of the other Gryffindor boys pulled him away. "Have a good holiday Hermione." Mya didn't have time to correct him.
"You're Mya, right?" Neville asked.
"Yes, I am. Neville, I look forward to seeing you later." she said quietly.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" Hermione yanked Mya away hissing violently.
"Hiya Hermione." Neville said cheerfully. "Hope you have a good Christmas. Anyway..." and with that the shy Gryffindor bolted as fast as he could.
"Just what do you think you're doing acting like some little tart, tarnishing my long earned reputation." Hermione spat angrily.
Mya didn't take the bait, but kept calm, "Hermione, just who do you think you're fooling. We're clever, but haven't you figured out yet that you can flirt and have fun and still be taken seriously."
"No you can't!" Hermione hissed. "Now I want you to go back to the compartment before you cause any more rumors to spread about me."
"You know I don't like Neville or Dean that way. You know who we like." Mya said calmly.
"I know, but I can never have him so instead I will stop parading about like a trollop and maybe just maybe he might take me serious enough one day." Hermione's anger was spent. She knew arguing with herself was foolish and a waste of energy.
"I don't think that's going to win his heart and I think you know it."
"Well it doesn't matter anyway. I am the main Hermione Granger so what I say goes!"
Mya knew she could argue more and get into a deep debate over it or she could just walk away. Mya without another word marched away from her counterpart tears welling up in her eyes. Oddly enough Hermione stood there tearing up as well. The only difference was that Hermione was crying because her life was so out of control while Mya cried fearing she'd never be enough to be with the man she loved.
HGSSHGSSHG
Neville walked along the aisle the train happy to be away from schoolwork, but couldn't deny this pang of loneliness. Every year it was always the same. Christmas Eve dinner with Gran and then visiting his parents Christmas morning. There was never anyone his own age to hang out with and seeing his parents always made him sad, but he had to be there for them just as they would have done for him. Just once he'd love to be able to invite a girl over. It'd get his Gran to spot yammering about his lack of dates. Always going on about how popular his dad was. Neville try as he might was just too shy to be a ladies man. There were so few girls he could just talk to. He had hoped that after the Yule Ball Ginny Weasley might have considered, but she confessed her feelings for Harry and blew that pipe dream out of the water.
Just as he was thinking of Ginny he looked into the compartment he was passing and saw the petite slender red head sitting alone. Plucking up his courage he knocked and let himself in.
"Hello there Ginny. Where are Ron and Harry?"
Ginny who had been just enjoying the view and trying to cool her blush from earlier turned to face her old date Neville. She liked him well enough despite his being so shy. He didn't have as much bravado as Harry or even Ron, but he was always considerate and pleasant to her. He had even bought her a little bracelet for the Yule Ball back in her third year. I think I still have it... somewhere. She always felt bad about confessing her feelings for Harry that night. She had a wonderful time, but her big mouth had to ruin it. But looking at Neville now was something of a surprise. Now he had grew out of his flabby youth and into a tower. His eyes still shy to the outside observer, but Ginny could tell he was just being thoughtful. Ginny felt her heart race when his eyes met hers. His soft dark brown eyes like the color of earth so rich and purposeful.
For a moment Ginny couldn't remember what he had asked. She stuttered and felt her cheeks get hot again. OH no! Shit! Ginny cool it, cool it, COOL IT! He's going to think something's wrong.
"Ginny are you alright?" he asked hesitantly.
"Yes, I'm sorry I kind of spaced out there for a moment. Must be the end of the term has melted my brain." Ginny smiled sweetly at him. "Excited for the holiday?" she asked.
Neville's smile brightened before stopping short.
"What's wrong?" Ginny asked ushering him to sit down next to her.
"I'm sorry. It's nothing really." Neville said shyly. He didn't want to burden her with his gloomy holiday spirit.
"You can tell me. I know we're not terribly close, but I still consider you a friend." Ginny almost regretted those words. Why would I regret it? He is a friend and I have a BOYFRIEND!
Neville could feel his heart sink a bit, but was shocked to see Ginny reach out and gently touched his hand. That simple touch, the brush of human contact that had been missing so much in his life was like a crack in a dam and a flood of emotion overpowered him. Every holiday he had missed of having loving affectionate parents, forced to endure his strong willed old fashioned Grandmother. He loved his Gran, she was the only family he had left, but so rarely did she touch him. He felt the tears build behind his eyes, but he willed them back. I will NOT cry in front of her.
"Are you alright?" Ginny felt awful. Is Christmas that bad for him? Wait Christmas! He goes to see his parents every year. Oh damn it Ginny! Great, way to remind him of his loneliness. "I'm sorry Neville, I forgot."
"You forgot what?" Neville asked his voice strained under the emotion.
"Your parents." she gulped. Neville looked up at her surprised that she knew.
"I want to see them. I love them. They would do the same for me, but it just gets..." he paused trying to quell his emotions.
"hard, I can see that. I have an idea, Neville. Why don't you come to Christmas dinner at the Burrow? Mum would love to have you and your Grandmother there. Hermione and well Mya and Harry are going to be there." Ginny offered. Neville could feel his heart lift. She's so kind and welcoming. And she doesn't even realize it. Damn, Harry's a lucky bloke.
"That sounds like fun."
"Of course you'll have to put up with my brothers, but fear not, I'm sure you can handle whatever they throw your way. If not, Hermione and I can put a lid on them." Ginny smiled pulling Neville into a warm Weasley hug. The contact floored Neville. He remembered why he had asked Ginny to the ball. Because she is the kindest, most selfless person I know! He held onto her for a moment wishing... well wishing lots of things.
She whispered into his ear, "Just know Neville that you have friends."
Ginny felt her heart squeeze a bit. I wish I had done this years ago. How lonely it must have been for him each year to go home to just his grandmother and ill parents. I'm sure Mum will be surprised to have them over, but she wouldn't say no. Not to the Longbottoms.
Neville quickly realized that a part of him, a male part was beginning to show itself due to Ginny's warm, delightful embrace. He coughed slightly pulling out of her arms, but he never stopped smiling.
"Thank Gin! I needed that. And I don't get too down about it. It just kind of hit me, you know."
"I know. Sometimes you just need a hug and a good friend."
"That I do. And I'm glad to have you as one." he said grinning as he leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on her cheek. "I'll see you around Ginny. Owl me. And wish your family Happy Christmas for me."
"You do the same," Ginny whispered. Her heart was hammering and her breath was short. What the hell was that? All that over a little peck on the cheek. That didn't stop her from reaching for the spot on her cheek with fingers and felt it. Oh no! Fireworks.
HGSSHGSSHG
The train pulled into Platform 9 and ¾ right on schedule. Molly stood there with Remus Lupin waiting for the troupe to get off the train. The weather was right bitter that day as Lupin cast a stronger warming charm over him. He needs to get some new warmer clothes. If I have it my way I'll make something for him for Christmas. Then he can't possibly turn it down.
"Do you see them Remus? You're so much taller than I am." Molly asked trying to see over the massive wave of children coming off the train and into the arms of family and friends.
"Not yet, Molly."
"Mum! We're over here." Ron bellowed waving to her. Ronald had grown at least an inch or two since September as he was quickly able to spot her carrot like hair.
"Oh there they are!" Molly gushed rushing toward hers and her surrogate children.
"Mum! You're killing us." Ron choked as Molly hugged Ron, Ginny, and Harry.
"Hermione?" Molly looked up to see two Hermiones standing side by side. One looking horribly embarrassed and other just smiling as if it was normal.
"What happened to you?" Remus choked back a laugh.
Hermione groaned. "Can we please talk about this later. I feel horrible enough as is about it."
"Don't mind her Remus, she'll get over it." Mya said smiling. "They call me Mya."
"Don't call him Remus. He was your professor. Show some respect." Hermione hissed.
"Well he's not my professor anymore," she smirked knowingly.
"Ugh!" was all she could say.
Molly and Remus shared a look and ushered the kids from the platform.
"Slight change in plans, everyone." Remus said. "We're not going to the Burrow."
"We're not?" Harry asked.
Remus shook his head. "Not safe." And then it dawned on everyone. The only place safer was the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. With a swift wave of wands, they all were transported to Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
"So care to explain why there are two Hermiones in my living room?" A jovial voice rang out. Sirius and Tonks followed behind him out of the kitchen. Tonks quickly gave her boyfriend Remus a quick peck on the lips. Didn't want to over do it with a room full of impressionable youth.
"Sirius." Harry flew into his godfather's arms happy to see him.
"Harry, I'm glad you could make it." Sirius smiled at his godson. Truly that was all the ex-convict could want this year was to spend time with his godson and friends. "That still doesn't answer my question..."
"I have to admit I'm curious as well." Remus grinned at the blushing Hermione.
"I am Mya. Hermione's wilder side. We tried to make a Splitting Potion, but something went wrong and we ended up splitting into two aspects of our personalities." Mya explained. Sirius's face went blank for a moment before he burst out laughing! Doubled over he couldn't contain his laughter. Even Remus was snorting trying to hold it in.
"Great! Haha ha! Laugh it up you two." Hermione shouted her face heating up as she fled the room and up to her room.
"Sorry about Hermione. She's just embarrassed about making a mistake. Especially since Professor Snape didn't know about it."
"Oh it just gets better and better." Sirius choked out.
"Sirius are you alright?" Harry asked helping him off the floor.
"Yep! Thanks pup for that. So Mya..." Sirius raised an eyebrow which had Moony on red alert. Sirius only got that cocky look when he was about to cause trouble. "You are Hermione's wilder side?"
She kept a calm expression, but she could tell that Padfoot had something in the works. "Yes."
"What like reading after hours?" Sirius teased.
"Nope." she said with a shake of her head.
"Oh come on now, you have to tell me. There has to be more you're not telling." Sirius grinned at her.
"Well..." she drawlled. Ginny for a moment felt hot. Is she going to tell them that she snogged me? Oh Holy Hell Fire I hope not. That's the last thing I need to explain to Harry especially now...
"She kissed Ron yesterday." Harry offered.
"Yes, I did, didn't I." Mya confessed calmly.
"There's more than a little kiss here. I can smell it." Sirius egged her on.
"Smell?"
"Well I am a dog you know."
"Yes, I know." she said with a smile. "It was just a kiss. I thought I might be attracted to him so I gave him a little kiss. It just wasn't meant to be."
"So are you saying you've kissed other wizards."
"No." Mya winked at Ginny. The red head thought she was going to burst into flames her cheeks were so red.
"Well if you're offering kisses to wizards, I think I should get a shot." Sirius teased.
"Now Sirius. You've had your fun." Remus started in on him, but as per usual Padfoot ignored his friend.
"Call it an early Christmas present." he cheekily grinned at her. Mya gave him a sly devious smile before she walked right past him and pulled Remus into a tight lipped but hard kiss. Remus' eyes bulged out in surprise, his face grew hot. Hermione's lips were so soft and warm. He had to admit she was one lovely lady.
"Mya!" Harry and Ron scolded. "He's involved with Tonks!" To which Tonks busted into a fit of giggles. The pink haired witch watched Sirius jaw drop in surprise. That's probably the first time in history a woman who is not his cousin has chosen Remus over him. HA! And then she noticed her boyfriend's surprised expression and another fit of giggles took her over again.
Mya released Remus slightly blushing as she gave him a peck on the cheek and whispered, "Don't worry it was just to show Padfoot up."
Remus quickly coughed still quite pink cheeked puffed his chest out a bit. "Well why don't we go settle in Dora?"
"Just remember 'silencing charms'" Mya teased them. Sirius' jaw was still touching the bottom of the floor.
"You..." Sirius started to get his voice back, "you did that on purpose. Just to show me up?"
"Yep! Serves you right. Your ego is a bit too large."
"What the hell happened here?" Ron asked completely confused.
"Second that." Harry added.
Snickering Sirius explained. "She just kissed Remus to show that she found Remus more attractive than me."
"You're just lucky that Tonks is so understanding." Harry said.
Mya giggled twirling a little curl, "She knew what I was up to, because she knows Sirius so well. And she trusts her boyfriend."
"Why don't we get settled in." Ginny suggested. Harry smiled at his girlfriend and gave her a little kiss. Ginny didn't want to shirk away, but she felt wrong. She knew she needed Mya's help. "Mya, we should get up there. Probably need to see about Hermione."
"Right. After you."
TBC
AN: Sorry it got so serious and depressing initially. This is supposed to be a fun fic. What the hell is all this drama doing in here? Blame February like I do every year. It always makes me so depressed. I'm surprised at how easily this chapter came out of me. I mean I posted the third and then suddenly like the flood gates letting loose all this came out of it. Maybe I should use some of this flood to finish some of my other stories. You think?
Oh and I've come to a conclusion... I am so over cannon pairings. I know I kept Tonks and Remus together, but that's about it. I like JK, don't get me wrong, but even the most loyal fan must admit that she is pretty terrible at romance. Creating a new world, writing a coming of age story with a battle between good and evil, and filling a story about redemption and love: yes she is very good at, but romance really isn't her forte. So I reject most of her pairings and substitute my own!
Thanks for reading and please review~