Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters; they all belong to J.K Rowling.

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Chapter 6- A feared moment

Fred and George marvelled everyone with new products of their joke shop, doing a free demonstration after dinner. Even Mrs. Weasley seemed to be enjoying herself, despite her lame attempts in disguising her enthusiasm.

When the twins finally finished the exhibition, everybody applauded sincerely. Bill and Fleur rose from the armchair they had been sharing, and announced they were off to a stroll in the garden.

"A stroll behind the bushes, they mean", Ginny whispered on Hermione's ear that seemed both shocked and amused with her friend's bold remark.

"Well Molly, it was Dumbledore's will that Harry should stay in Privet Drive until he turns seventeen, and just because Dumbledore is not here anymore-" Mr. Weasley was saying to her wife, but he trailed of when he noticed five pairs of eyes watching him attentively.

"What are you staring at?" Mrs. Weasley questioned with a hint of annoyance. "Come dear, let's find a quiet place to talk", she added, sending them a nasty look and leading her husband out of the living-room.

"Poor Harry…" Hermione said, after a few minutes silence. Her brown eyes were gleaming in a strange way, as if tears could appear on their corners at any moment. "I can't imagine how he is feeling, in the middle of that horrible Muggles, without any friend to comfort him…"

Ginny dropped her gaze to the floor, and a single tear rolled down her pale cheek. The boys stared at her helplessly, and George walked over to her and patted her clumsily on the shoulder.

Hermione, whose eyes had been fixing the white wall, gulped when she turned around and saw that scene. "Oh Ginny… I'm so sorry- I didn't mean to-"

The red haired girl waved a hand in dismissal. And when she raised her head, a faint smile was gracing her features. "Don't worry, I'm fine. Harry made his decision and I must accept it. I just miss him so bad…" Ginny admitted in a low yet resolute voice.

George had stopped patting her shoulder, and Ron was looking worriedly at his younger sister. Hermione draw near Ginny, but she too seemed to be completely speechless, so she came to a halt beside Fred, who had not moved at all.

"If you'll excuse me guys, I'm a bit tired. I'll go to bed now, good night", Ginny stated, raising from the couch and heading towards the door. When she was almost crossing it, she said in a fake cheerful tone of voice: "By the way, Fred and George, your new products are really cool." And then she left her sobs still audible as she climbed the stairs.

Hermione placed her hands over her mouth, completely horrified by what she had caused. The brunette breathed heavily and then mumbled: "I think I need to get some fresh air."

She crossed the room's door with quick steps, and Ron raised his blue eyes just in time to see her disappear. How he wished to go after her, to hug her and tell her that everything would be ok…

"What are you waiting for?" Fred snapped suddenly, and Ron raised an eyebrow inquiringly. "Well, she is your friend, she is feeling bad with herself… she needs someone to cheer her up!" the red haired boy replied impatiently.

"I don't- alright, I'll go", Ron muttered, and he too exited the living-room. 'But where had she gone to?' he wondered, and it was then that he heard footsteps descending the stairs that lead to the kitchen. "It must be her", the boy conclude, and started to follow the sound of footsteps.

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She let go of the doorknob almost in slow-motion, and when it finally closed with a soft noise, she slipped silently to the floor and leaned her back against the door. Salty tears streamed down her pale face; tears she had been refusing to cry.

'Harry made his decision and I must accept it…' These words echoed furiously on her mind, making the girl realize how empty they were. The truth is that she had not accepted the fact that Harry wanted to follow a separate way… she was not the kind of girl willing to give up without at least fighting for what she wanted, but in this case, she just feel completely hopeless.

Ginny watched as Crookshanks approached her and placed his head on her lap, observing her with his sharp eyes. The red haired girl smiled and cuddled him behind the ears. Hermione had finally released him from his punishment.

"You're the only one that really understands me, aren't you?" the girl whispered, and the ginger cat purred. "I try to be strong Crookshanks, I really do. I smile and pretend I'm ok so the others don't get worried about me… if they only knew how it hurts…"

Crookshanks purred again, and Ginny stared at him, even though her thoughts were far from there and flying in the direction of a two-floor house in a place called Privet Drive.

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A tall red haired boy was walking carefully through a dirt path, in the middle of bushes and flowers, trying to find a certain person in the pitch darkness. A few steps ahead, the sound of sobs reached his ears and the boy found who he was looking for. "Hermione?" he called uncertainly.

"I'm here", the girl answered. Ron moved towards the wooden bench where she was sitting in, and sat beside her. The brunette wiped her tears with the sleeve of her green shirt and turned sideways to look at him. "What do you want?"

"I- hum- you were crying, so I decided to come and see if you're alright", the red haired boy explained, his blue eyes watching the girl attentively.

"Oh, don't worry about me. I'm just so stupid sometimes…" Hermione replied, her lips curling into a small smile.

"You're not stupid, Hermione. I think you are a wonderful girl; you're smart, you're loyal to your friends and-"Ron trailed of, clearly embarrassed. He breathed deeply and then continued in a strangely low voice: "And you are the most beautiful girl I have ever met."

Hermione widened her eyes, completely caught by surprise with the boy's words. 'Did he just say he thinks I'm beautiful?' the brunette thought in confusion. Her brown eyes were locked with the boy's blue ones, and she shivered when she saw his face coming closer from hers.

'I can't believe I'm going to do this', Ron thought, and he approached even more from Hermione. They were so close now that he could feel her sweet scent, and goose bumps spread through his body.

Hermione closed her eyes the moment their noses touched each other; she felt his breath getting heavier, and waited for what was coming with a midst of anticipation and fear.

The silence in the garden was almost unbearable as their lips were almost touching. Then, the sound of footsteps and cheerful giggles broke the silence of the night, and both Ron and Hermione only had time to jump apart and rise from the bench. They turned around quickly to see a puzzled Bill and a delighted Fleur.

"Oops", the French girl said mockingly, making the brunette blush ten shades of red and Ron went paler than usual. The red haired boy tried to pretend he was not bothered with what had happened, but he failed miserably.

"Let's go inside, Fleur", Bill suggested, grabbing the blonde girl's hand. They started to walk away, and Bill shouted over his shoulder: "You two just keep doing whatever you were doing." Fleur giggled loudly and the two of them strolled away happily.

Needless to say, the two teenagers that were left behind stood there in silence, until Ron finally mumbled: "We should go inside too… it's getting late."

Hermione nodded, not daring to say a word. She was still feeling little butterflies flying on her stomach, and shivers running down her spine. It almost happened… the thing she most longed for, but at the same time feared.

Ron let the brunette walk a little ahead, and then exclaimed above a whisper: "Bloody hell! Why did they have to appear?"

"Did you say something?" Hermione questioned, looking over her shoulder with an awkward expression. The red haired boy shook his head, and the girl continued her way, oblivious to the fact her every move was being watched.

To be continued…