Thanks, Mate

Chapter five; absence

Ron lay on the couch closest to the fire, pondering the day's events. Not a soul had been in the common room since night had fallen and the Gryffindors wearily dragged on to their dormitories. But not Ron. He stayed right where he was, even to this late hour. There was no way in hell he would be able to sleep, so why even try? There was no point in it, really. The same question kept repeating itself in his mind; how could this happen? Well . . . no, not exactly. . . he knew perfectly well how it happened. He just couldn't understand why.

"Hey, Big Brother." Ginny said playfully as she hit his head and sat down on the chair opposite him, bringing him out of his trance.

"Hm? Oh. . . hey."He cleared his throat."What're you doing up?"

Ginny shrugged. "Harry elbowed me in his sleep and woke me up. Noticed you weren't there." Ron nodded, his eyes still fixed on the fire. His sister sighed and started to stare at the flames, as well. "What're you thinking about?" she asked, even though they both knew the answer to that, but he answered, nonetheless.

"Just. . . things."

She nodded solemnly. They sat in silence for a few moments, just gazing into the fire. It was awkward for Ginny; However, Ron was glad she was there. She exhaled deeply before speaking again.

"If it makes any difference, I haven't known for more that a week." Ron looked at her curiously, unaware of the point. "Just. . . thought you should know she wasn't trying to hide it from you for too long."

Ron smiled and averted his eyes again. "Thanks." His eyes grew sad. "I just don't understand it, Ginny. . . why did it have to be now?" he exhaled before adding, "Why did it have to be her?"

Ginny shrugged. "Because you decided to rock the bed."

"That's not funny." he retorted through gritted teeth.

Ginny shook her head. "I just don't understand how you did it without anyone knowing. Our house is bloody full of people in the summer, Ron! Absolutely full! How in hell's name did you manage?"

Ron's expression didn't change. "Fred knew about it. I made him swear he'd keep quiet."

Ginny picked her feet up off the floor and rested them against the edge of the table in front of her. "Well, if Fred knows, then George does, as well. It's only expected."

Ron shook his head. "No. I would've noticed him looking at me funny. Fred did for ages." he said sadly. He could only imagine how Fred would look at him now if he knew what was going on. Blinking in a sudden mix of curiosity and concern, he looked at Ginny for a moment. "Hey, Ginny. . . you and Harry . . . you haven't. . .?" he asked, as if he were to say 'if you're pregnant, as well, this is the time to tell me'.

Ginny shook her head reassuringly. "A little fooling around, but we haven't had sex." she admitted. Ron sighed in relief. It proved Harry's loyalty to him, in a way; at least he knew he wasn't violating his sister and telling him completely otherwise. Not that Harry would ever do such a thing, of course.

Then, taking her brother out of another trance of deep thought, Ginny took his hand in hers and place her other hand on his forehead to push his hair back, as if it would help ease his anguish. She sighed when she was sure she had his attention. "Ron. . . When I was still little, you were the only one I ever came to for help because I always knew that you would be patient with me and that I could trust you. I looked up to you. And you always made sure that I knew that even though we fought, you still loved me. And people like you. . . they always stay like that. They don't grow out of it. That's why I know that regardless of what anyone else thinks, you didn't pressure Hermione into this. It just happened." She paused to fight back her tears and continued before she had completely lost. "I don't know what you're thinking right now or what you feel like right now, and if I'm being honest, I hope I never have to know. But I want you to know that Hermione doesn't blame you for this and that you shouldn't think like it's all your fault. You both decided you were ready, and this is what happened. No one is at fault, Ron. Especially you." She shook her head and began to shake as tears consumed her voice and flooded her eyes. "And even if you were, she'd still love you. I'd still love you." Ron sat up and brought his little sister up on his lap, hugging her close while she cried, just like the times she had spoken of when they were younger. But this time was different. She wasn't crying because the twins took candy from her or Mum sent her off to bed without supper; she was crying because the real world finally decided to slap them all in the face, and Ron and Hermione had to suffer for it. Whenever she'd come to him like this, he'd just sit there and hug her until the crying stopped, whether he wanted to or not; this was the first time that she'd gotten to him so badly that he went right on crying along with her. Maybe he was crying because someone finally understood his position; or he just hadn't got over the shock of Hermione yet, maybe. Regardless of the reason, both just went on crying, huddled together like scared little five year old children who wanted their mum real bad.

That might've made them cry even harder, considering she couldn't know about this, either. Harry, Hermione, Ginny and Ron were the only ones who knew the full story, and for now, they were the only ones who were safe enough to know. Still. . . Ginny wished desperately she could tell her mum. She wouldn't treat them like criminals and scold Ron to Kingdom Come. No, she was above that. In fact, she'd even be happy. She was too naïve to put two and two together, in a way. That certainly had its perks, especially when dealing with such emotionally exhausting situations such as these. Ginny bit her lip as another bout of tears came along due to her thoughts. "I wish Mum were here." she whispered.

Ron was almost too weak from crying to respond. However, when the time came that he found his voice again, it was too late to reply, so instead, he held his sister tight and whispered, "I love you."

Ginny placed a kiss on his cheek and held on to him tightly, tearing out of sympathy for him. "I love you, too."

Hermione awoke the next morning to find that everyone had already left for classes. She sighed sleepily as she rolled out of bed, holding her stomach from her now usual morning pains. Lying down to help ease the pain, she paused a moment as her head crinkled on a piece of parchment. She curiously unfolded it and looked down at Ron's scribbled handwriting.

I know you don't think this is my fault, but I'm at fault just as much as you are. I was up thinking all night, and I think this happened for a reason. I just don't know what. In any case, we shouldn't be upset about this all just because they're gonna lock me up a few months. Who cares if they put me in Azkaban? I know you're scared, and hell, I'm scared too, but for all its worth, there's no one else in this world I'd ever want to have a child with besides you. You're my whole world. I don't want to wake you, so I'll come to check on you at lunch.

Hermione sighed. That damn Ron. He always knew just what to say. She almost found herself smiling. Not that deep down she was still extremely devastated at what might happen, which was currently conveyed by the tears on her face, but what happened next devastated her even more.

An owl's shrill cry was heard as a barn owl from the school flew through her open window, startling her. Whether the bird hadn't noticed her jump or simply didn't care, it held out its leg unpatiently, as if it were sick of having to fly around the castle with letters strapped to its ankle 12 hours a day, until Hermione managed to untie the envelope. Then, with a relieved hoot, the bird took off again, leaving Hermione to read the news inside.

Dear Miss Granger,

It has been brought to my attention as both your professor and house leader that both your classes and mealtimes have been neglected constantly as of late with neither notice nor permission. As consequences arise with matters such as these, I should ask that you report to my office upon receiving this letter so we can discuss your absence. Please try not to be tardy, as I have other urgent business to attend to.

Sincerely,

Professor M. McGonagall

Hermione gasped instantly. Surely Professor McGonagall would want an explanation. . .

. . . but what was she supposed to say?

hey guys! sorry for the long wait! this chapter hit a block, so I had to cut it short, but the next chapter is well underway, as it is the big moment; the moment when everyone finds out and Hermione's father has a few things to say to our dear Ronald. hope ya like! please review - the faster the reviews come, the sooner the next chapters come!

Suki

formatting updated July 26, 2006