Chapter Six: Heartache

She stared. Neither Ron nor Genvi had noticed the flames in the fireplace, and she was still wearing the invisibility cloak. As far as they were concerned, they were the only people in the room. Ron pulled Genvi closer to him and ran his fingers through her hair.

Hermione's heart stopped. She struggled to breathe.

"Ron!"

Genvi and Ron jumped apart as Harry entered the room. Hermione quickly looked away from them.

"What?" Ron said, sounding annoyed.

"I really think we should go look for Hermione. It's almost been two hours."

"I'm right here," Hermione said quietly before Ron could respond. She took off the invisibility cloak. Out of the corner of her eye she saw both Ron and Genvi's faces turn bright red. Hermione was sure hers was red too.

Harry pretended not to notice. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Just a couple Death Eaters, nothing I couldn't handle." She numbly handed him the invisibility cloak before heading past him.

"Where are you going?"

"To take a nap."

She practically ran to her room and slammed the door. Ginny looked up from the book she was reading and frowned.

"What's wrong, Herm?"

"Nothing," Hermione said quietly. "But—do you think I could have a little privacy?"

Ginny's frown deepened. "What happened?"

"Nothing happened, I'd just like to be alone for a bit."

The red head considered her for a bit before speaking. "All right, but you'll let me know if you need anything?"

Hermione nodded. Satisfied, Ginny closed her book and left the room. When Hermione heard the door shut, she collapsed onto her bed and buried her face in her hands.

She didn't know how long she lay there, holding back tears. The last thing she wanted to do was make a scene and even though she was alone in her room, her sobs would definitely be heard throughout the house if she started crying. So she held them in, tried to get a hold of herself.

Eventually there was a knock on her door. Hermione sat up on her bed, but didn't answer it. Whoever it was knocked again.

"Books? It's Genvi. Can I come in?"

"Sure," Hermione said, just loud enough for her to hear.

Genvi cautiously came in, closing the door behind her. "Look, I can explain—"

"There's no need."

"Yes, there is." Genvi sat next to her on the bed. "I'm sorry. It just sort of—happened. I know you like him—"

"I don't."

Genvi blinked. "What?"

"He's a downright git, and I got over him years ago." Hermione forced a laugh. "If you want that, be my guest."

"Hermione, I didn't mean—"

"I mean it." Hermione turned to her friend, putting on her best smile. "If you like Ron, I say go for it. Heaven knows you deserve someone like him, especially after your last four boyfriends."

"I thought you said he was a downright git."

"He is, but a good one." Hermione laughed, a little more sincerely this time. "He's a good person, a great person in fact, he's just—not for me."

Genvi frowned. "I'm not sure I believe you. You looked pretty upset out there."

"Believe me." Hermione took Genvi's hands, keeping her own as steady as possible. "And I was only shocked, not upset. You deserve to be happy, and if you think Ron can make you happy, I want you to go for it."

Her friend was quiet for a minute. "All right—but only if you're sure."

"I'm positive."

Genvi smiled. "Well, that's a relief. I really do like him, Hermione. A lot."

Hermione felt something pull at her heart, but smiled anyway. "Then go get him."

Genvi laughed and kissed Hermione's cheek before bouncing out of the room. The minute the door closed, Hermione's smile was gone. She took a deep breath and laid on her bed, a few silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

The door opened again. Before Hermione had time to react, Ginny was sitting on the end of her bed.

"Why'd you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Tell Genvi to go for it."

Hermione shrugged as she sat up, trying to hide her tears. "She deserves to be happy. They both do."

"But why'd you tell her you didn't like Ron?"

"Because I don't."

"Oh, come off it! That's the biggest lie I've ever heard."

"It's not a lie."

"It is a lie! You're in love with him! You've been in love with him for years!"

"No, I haven't. I thought I liked him once, but that was a long time ago."

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Fine. Have it your way. But I know better. You're not a very good liar, Herm."

"Good thing I'm not lying then."

Ginny shook her head as she stood. "I don't know why you won't just talk to me, at least tell me the truth."

When it became clear that Hermione wasn't going to say anything else, Ginny left, leaving Hermione alone again. She gathered a hold of herself before deciding to jump in the shower.

When she got out, she joined everyone else in the kitchen for dinner. Genvi was cooking something on the stove. Harry, Ron, and Ginny all sat at the table. Hermione's parents weren't around—they'd said earlier that they planned on going out to dinner that night.

Hermione took a seat at the table. Ron sent her an awkward smile.

"Hey. You all right?"

"I'm just fine. Just really needed to take a shower."

Harry leaned forward. "You said you saw Death Eaters?"

She nodded. "I bumped into Lucius Malfoy in the street. There were seven others with him."

"How'd you get away?"

"The cloak."

Harry sighed and leaned back. "Well, I hope you got everything you need."

"I dropped most of it while I was running. And I have a couple orders for potions coming in."

Ron raised his eyebrows. "You're not seriously thinking about going back there, are you?"

"I have to."

"What are the potions even for?" Ginny asked.

Harry and Hermione exchanged a look. "They're for a paper I'm working on," Hermione said quickly.

"Couldn't you make them yourself?"

"I don't have the right materials, and it's cheaper to get the potion made then to buy all the ingredients. Besides, I doubt my parents would appreciate me brewing potions in the kitchen."

Ron shook his head. "You're not going back there. Not alone, anyway."

"I'll wear the cloak the entire time next time. I won't even take it off to pay—I'll just take what I need and leave money on the counter."

"It's too dangerous," Harry said urgently.

"I have to agree with them, Books," Genvi said as she set a pot of soup on the table. "I don't think you should go back."

"Well, what all of you think doesn't matter, because I'm going back for those potions whether you like it or not," Hermione snapped.

Everyone stared at her. She sighed. "I'm sorry. I guess being chased by Lucius Malfoy and his goons didn't exactly put me in a good mood."

"We just want you to be safe," Ginny said, putting her hand on Hermione's.

"I will be. I'll be much more careful next time."

They let the subject drop as Genvi dished out the soup. When she was finished, she took the open seat between Hermione and Ron. Hermione saw Ron put a hand on her knee under the table.

Hermione tried to participate in the conversation her friends were having, but couldn't completely focus. Try as she might, she couldn't ignore the growing pain in her heart.


A/N: Quick update, because I'd actually initially included this in the last chapter, then decided it was too long. So here you go! I'm on a roll today-who knows, I may even post more! :P