All You Need Is Love
Chapter Three: Dear Prudence
A/N: Hermione's POV. Placed the day after the bird incident. You know Ginny. She has to be damage control. By the way, Hermione wouldn't normally be so quiet, but you know, life just bit her in the arse. That day, she just needed direction. This story goes out to Kate, Hannah, and my Mom for telling me that everything will be all right. I return those sentiments to Kate. And to Logan for telling me not to get discouraged.
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
In younger years, I had always asserted that I would not date until I had my doctorate. Those were simpler times when I still had rational thoughts about males. Then, I met Ronald Weasley, who continues to break the norm for me. He is the most sweet, insufferable, loyal, neglecting, altruistic, egotistical man I knew, and the only one for whom I'd consider breaking my rule.
So receiving his acceptance to my invitation to Slughorn's Christmas party was triumphant indeed. Then he kissed Lavender Brown. Although, truthfully, "kissing" isn't the most correct term. Eating face is more accurate. But in any case, he broke my heart.
The only thing I could think to do was cry. So that's what I did to sleep that night. And the next morning, and I didn't want to get out of bed. I couldn't face him. Not after the birds. So I laid there in the bed, watching as the sunlight from the window illuminated the floating dust wondering how long I could possibly do this before I had to leave the room. The world outside this room seemed like Hell.
After awhile, I heard someone quietly opening the door. I turned my head to the source of the sound, away from its almost permanent position towards the window. I found my best friend.
Ginny looked at me and shook her head. "All for my stupid prat of a brother." So she knew. Great. She came and sat down on the bed closest to mine.
Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day.
"Come on, hon. It's time to get out of this bed."
I shook my head.
"Hermione, don't you think I've spent my fair share of days mourning over Harry? The best thing to do is just get up and face the world without a care."
I shook my head again. I just couldn't face him. Everyone else could just sod off.
The sun is up, the sky is blue. It's beautiful and so are you.
"It's a new day to start fresh. Your favourite kind: a sunny, but moderate day, not too windy, but enough breeze to be pleasant." She sounded like an automated message for weather. "Perfect for reading under a tree. You'll love it. It's beautiful out there."
I just looked at her.
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
"Hermione, if you don't get out of that bed, I will make you."
I raised an eyebrow at her. She looked at me in a way that showed clearly that she wasn't kidding. I sighed and pulled the covers away, rising to get dressed.
"Good," she said, pulling something wrapped out of her bag. "I've brought you some toast."
"Thanks."
"No problem. I know this is what I always wanted on days like this. Someone to tell me what to do."
"Can't function very well," I said, as I dressed, unable to speak in complete sentences yet.
"That's usually the case. It gets better as time goes by. I promise."
I blew out a breath. "Let's go," I said, grabbing a book off my bedside table and heading for the door.
Outside, I found that Ginny wasn't wrong. This was the best sort of day for reading. But I soon became apathetic to it. The book wouldn't interest me, the lake wouldn't attract me, Ginny's attempts at conversation wouldn't stick.
I eventually settled to nodding at her, thinking about Ron and Lavender again.
"Are you even listening?"
I started at the sudden question. "Not really."
Dear Prudence, open up your eyes.
"Everything is going to be fine. He'll come around and see what an idiot he's been. So stop worrying and enjoy life."
I looked her full in the face for the first time in an hour. "Ginny. He is life."
She closed her eyes for a moment and nodded. "Just enjoy what you can."
Dear Prudence, see the sunny skies.
"I can't - "
"It's a great day. Focus on that."
I thought about it, and soaked up the happiness in the air. The warmth inside me wasn't complete. I knew why. "I'm not even sure I know who I am without him. What am I going to do without him around?" The words came out with no regard to my brain.
The wind is low, the birds will sing that you are part of everything.
"Hermione, we all need you. You are important and strong. We know who you are. And you will pull out of this. Just think about that."
I made a face at her. "You don't need me."
Dear Prudence, won't you open up your eyes?
"You don't see it?"
I shook my head.
"Harry needs you to keep track of the facts. I need you to keep me from going crazy from the insanity of my lack of females and lack of Harry. Some of the younger ones need you to look up to. I'm sure that some girl needs you to look at and know that she can be something because you are." I was touched and about to say something, when she continued. "And Ron needs you, too."
I scoffed, completely losing admiration for her speech. "Oh, really? I think he's made it blatantly obvious that he doesn't."
Ginny looked at me with disbelief. "He needs you because he loves you." I was about to interrupt, but she was unstoppable. "You're the only thing I've ever seen him worry about."
I was skeptical to say the least. "I'm so sure."
Look around, round, round.
"Have you ever seen him trying to make sure some other girl gets to the Burrow? Have you ever seen him burp slugs for Harry?"
Look around, round, round.
"Does anyone else stand up for you when people call you a know-it-all? Does anyone else annoy you about Viktor?"
Look around.
"Is there anyone else he ever bickers with more? He loves you, Hermione. It's obvious to everyone else but you, even to Lavender."
I stopped thinking for only half a second, but it was plenty of time to make an impact. Everyone?
Dear Prudence, let me see you smile.
"Put on your brave face, hon. There's rough times ahead for the two of you. But be rest assured when I tell you: My brother is in love with you. So smile."
Dear Prudence, like a little child.
"Pretend that these are better times. Before he broke your heart. Before the hurt. Smile like nothing's wrong even though your world is falling apart. I mean, it could be worse, right?"
I nodded.
The clouds will be a daisy chain, so let me see you smile again.
"These problems will seem like nothing when you get past this. Remember, the first couple of days is the hardest. So smile."
I did so.
"Good. Now don't get discouraged. It might not happen right away, but it'll work out."
I nodded, and unwillingly, the image came again: Ron and Lavender in the classroom. A tear slipped out.
Dear Prudence, won't you let me see you smile?
"Hey now. Smile."
And I shook the thought away and said, grinning, "It's a beautiful day."
"Yes. Yes it is."
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play? Dear Prudence, greet the brand new day.
With her advice in mind, I was able to get up in the morning and face the world.
The sun is up, the sky is blue. It's beautiful and so are you.
Life was easier. Days were brighter. And I could deal.
Dear Prudence, won't you come out to play?
A/N: So give me your thoughts, you readers, you! I love hearing from you and it helps to know you're out there.