When Hermione got up to the Headmaster's office, she was greated by not only Dumbledore, but the Minister of Magic, himself. Rufus Scrimgeour stood next to Dumbledore's desk, looking stern and official.
Hermione didn't think that this would have to happen as soon as she got back to school. She nervously looked around the room, expecting Cormac to be there.
"Please have a seat, Miss Granger." Dumbledore said.
She sat in a chair facing the two of them.
"I trust you know why you're here?" he asked.
Hermione cleared her throat, then opened and closed her mouth several times. Eventually she said, "Because of . . . what Ron said . . ?" By this, she hoped Dumbledore would understand how difficult it was for her, just talking about it.
"Yes, Mister Weasley was the one who told me what happened, but you should know, once Mister McLaggen was told what he had been accused of, he did not deny it. Of course, we could not fufill his proper punishment until it was confirmed by you, that what happened between you and Cormac McLaggen was nonconsensual."
Hermione looked at the Minister, as she thought about Dumbledore's words. Cormac hadn't denied it? "What will happen to him?" she asked.
"If he has been, well, proven guilty, then Mister McLaggen will be expelled, and on constant probation."
Hermione thought some more, but turned her eyes from the Minister to the floor.
"Miss Granger?" Dumbledore asked patiently, "Do you confirm or deny the accusations made against Cormac McLaggen?"
Slowly, Hermione looked up and nodded, "I . . . er, confirm them."
"And you would like to press charges?" the Minister said, almost impatiently.
She almost jumped at his voice, since he had not spoken before that, but merely nodded.
He grabbed a short stack papers off of Dumbledore's desk, and roughly shoved them into Hermione's lap, "Print your name here, sign here, and date here." he said, pointing to various spots on the paper.
"Perhaps you should inform her of what she's signing and agreeing to, Rufus?" Dumbledore said.
The Minister looked back at him for a second, then turned back to Hermione, looking annoyed, "Alright, this is a statement confirming that you, Hermione Granger, claim to have been raped by Cormac McLaggen." He then handed her a quill.
She took it, and signed the papers, without looking up at either of them.
After she signed them, the Minister took the papers back and put them in a brief case. Then he walked over to the door. "Good day to you both." he said before leaving.
After a moment, Dumbledore gave her a small smile and said, "You'll have to pardon Mr. Scrimgeour. Being the Minister, he does run on a very tight schedule."
"Why was he here?" Hermione asked before she could stop herself, "I mean, why didn't he just send someone else?"
"The ministry doesn't have a department for dealing with cases like this. Though, I have suggested it once or twice . . ."
"Oh," was all she could think to say.
"But, anyway, you've had a long journey. I think it's time you go down to the Great Hall."
Hermione nodded and stood up, thankful she was able to leave. But as she was about to open the door, Dumbledore spoke again.
"Oh, and Ms. Granger? I would like you to know that if you feel the need to talk to anyone, several of the staff members are available, if I, myself, am not."
She nodded again, "Thank you, sir," she said, and left.
She headed for the Gryffindor tower, rather than the Great Hall. She was extremely thankful to find the common room completely empty. She assumed everyone was down at dinner. The silence was soothing.
Once she had brought her stuff upstairs, she decided she did not want to wait around for the common room to start filling up with people. She decided to head down to the library. No one was ever in the library on a Friday night.
When she got there, it was almost completely dark, except for a few candles. No one was expected to be there, and she knew the candles would very soon be extinguished. She didn't care though. She knew she would stay in there long after that.
She headed toward the back of the library. She wanted to set herself somewherr no one would find her.
As she walked through the aisles, she paused in the "W" section, where she had gone just after it happened. There, now, was Ron, sitting and reading at the table. He glanced up at Hermione, then did sort of a double-take.
"Hermione!" he beamed and sat up straighter.
Hermione smiled back at him, the need to be alone leaving her. Perhaps she didn't want to be completely alone . . .
She moved forward to sit at the table across from him, but before she could, Ron suddenly stood up, closed the short distance between them, and firmly wrapped his arms around her.
Hermione was surprised by this, but immediately hugged him back.
They silently held onto each other like this for a few moments before Ron spoke.
Without letting go of her, he said, "I'm sorry . . . I've just been really worried about you . . . and I've missed you."
Hermione smiled, "I've missed you too . . ." Then she frowned, remembering something, and pulled away from him.
She looked up into his eyes, "Ron . . . did-did you tell anyone besides Harry and Ginny?"
He shook his head, "Of course not!"
Hermione sat down at the table, "Then-then . . . why does Lavender know? And, apparently, the other girls in our dorm?"
Ron sat back where he was sitting, across from her, and grimaced, "Erm . . . well . . . actually . . . about that . . . people sort of . . . figured it out . . ."
Hermione raised her eyebrows, "What! ? How! ?"
Ron looked down at the table, "Well, the last time anyone saw you was when you left for your date with him . . . then he hasn't been anywhere out of class . . . but I suppose it's mainly my fault." he looked up at her, a guilty expression on his face, "I really shouldn't have gotten into that stupid fight. I'm really sorry, Hermione . . ."
Even if she wanted to, Hermione just could not find it in herself to get mad at Ron. It was hard for her to think of his fight with Cormac as anything but protective and sweet.
Thinking about it, though, if it hadn't been for that, it could still be possible that not everyone knew.
Everyone knew.
Hermione's breathe suddenly got caught in her throat. She gripped the edge of the table, feeling faint.
"Oh God," she groaned quietly. She felt like she might throw up.
"Hermione?" Ron looked anxious and worried, "I'm really sorry!" he repeated, "If it makes you feel any better, no one thinks anything bad about you! They all just feel bad that it happened to you. They all just want to help you."
Hermione took several deep breaths, trying to calm herself, "That's what Lavender said . . ."
Ron shrugged uncomfortably, "Well . . . at least she means well." Then he tried smiling, "She actually came up to me and apollogized for yelling at me after the fight . . ."
This did not make Hermione feel any better. If anything she felt even more naseaus. "Oh," she said as casually as she could, though the bitterness would not leave her voice, "So . . . you think you might get back together with her?"'
"No!" he said immediately, looking somewhat panicked. "I-I just mean, it's better than her death glares. I think we could be friends now. We-we . . . weren't good as a couple . . ."
"Really? You two seemed to enjoy being a couple!" she snapped.
Ron opened his mouth, then closed it. He did this for a few seconds before just closing it and frowning.
Hermione sighed. She could tell he wanted to make some sort of retort, but something was keeping him back. She figured he was really trying hard to be nice to her. She wished she hadn't said anything. If Ron was trying hard to keep their just-barely-mended friendship in tact, then she should be too. "I'm sorry," she said, "I'm just a little on edge."
Ron nodded, "I understand," he said softly, looking relieved, "I don't blame you."
Calming down a bit, Hermione asked, "So I'm guessing a lot has changed since I left. I mean, to find you, of all people, in the library reading . . . you're not sick, are you?"
He smiled, then said, his ears turning pink, "Actually, I over heard Lavender tell Parvati that you were back, so I came here, because . . . well . . ."
"You assumed I'd come to the library?"
He smirked, "Well I was right, wasn't I?"
Hermione didn't say anything. She wouldn't have been able to explain it, but there was something about Ron knowing where she would go, and then going there even though it was his least favorite place, just to see her . . . It gave her warm comforting sensation.
After an awkward pause, Ron asked, "So, how has your week been?"
Hermione shrugged, "Terrible. My parents made me see a therapist." She grabbed one of the books that was on the table and began reading.
Ron raised an eyebrow, "A what?"
"Therapist . . ? I'm surprised you don't know what that is, the nurse at St. Mungo's was the one who suggested it."
"Well I'm sure there are many things the people who work at St. Mungo's know that I don't . . ."
Hermione smiled, "Well, anyway, it's a person that you pay to talk to, basically . . ."
Ron frowned, "Why would you pay to talk to someone?"
"Well . . . it's more complicated than that. They can't judge you or anything, they have to listen, and they have to talk about what you want to talk about. It does help some people."
He still looked like it was a strange idea, "Well . . . why couldn't you just talk to your parents?"
She looked up at him and raised his eyebrows, "Do you really think this is something I could talk to my parents about?"
Ron's face turned a few shades lighter than red, "Right, sorry," he muttered, looking down at the table, "I suppose not . . ."
Hermione shook her head. "It's fine," she muttered, "But talking to the therapist didn't help either . . ."
His face then turned a darker shade, and he looked up at her, "Well-er . . . you know, you c-can . . . always talk to me-if you'd want to, that is."
She felt her face heat up. She had no idea why this made her blush, but she hated it, "Thanks, Ron. But . . . it's hard for me to talk to anyone about this . . ."
Ron nodded, "I-I understand. But I want you to know . . . if-if there is anything you need from me-or just want from me-I'm there for you. You know that, right?"
Hermione's breath got caught in her throat. A warmth spread from her chest to the rest of her body. She suddenly had the urge to wrap her arms around Ron again, but this time never let go. But all she could do was nod and say, "Th-thanks, Ron. But really, there's nothing I need . . ."
Ron shrugged, "Anything you want, then?"
She didn't even know where to begin with that. "I . . . I just want to talk-about normal stuff, I mean. Pretend nothing ever happened."
Ron tried to smile, "I'm fine with that."
And they did talk about normal stuff. At least, they spent the rest of their time talking around what happened to Hermione. She told him about going to the therapist and about her run-in with the girl from her past. "She sounds nice," Ron had said, sarcastically. She told him about going out to a restaraunt right after, with her parents. He laughed when she told him what her dad said about not dating anyone until she was married, but said, "Well maybe that's what you should do."
Hermione looked at him skeptically, "And how would that work, exactly?"
Ron shrugged, looking away from her, "Marry someone that you already know. Someone that you're close to." He thought for a moment, then looked back at her, "Marry Ginny."
Hermione laughed, "Well I don't think that would work, seeing as how neither of us are interested in women . . ."
"Alright . . . marry Harry?"
She raised her eyebrows, "That'd be like asking Ginny to marry you . . ."
"Marry me, then."
Hermione's heart skipped a beat, as she looked at him. He was looking right into her eyes, and even though his face kept that easy-going, joking expression, it was the color of one of the sweaters his mum sends him each Christmas.
She tried her best to match that expression, but she had a feeling she was just matching the color more than anything, "M-marry you?"
"Yeah, sure, why not?"
"Alright then!" she said, throwing her hands up, in mock defeat, "I'll start working on the invitations!"
Ron smiled, "Great. How's next Friday for you? I'm not doing anything then . . ."
"It's perfect!"
They both looked at each other. Despite the fact that by now they were both beat red, they couldn't help but burst into laughter.
It was several minutes before their laughter even started to die down.
When it did, Hermione asked, "So, how has your week been?"
"Eh, nothing special . . ."
She gave him a stern look, "Have you been completing all your assignments?"
Ron rolled his eyes, "Most of them. Not that you should even care . . ."
"I care about all my friends' progress in school. I don't want you failing anything." she explained.
"Well trust me, if I start failing any of my classes, you'll be the first to know. But that shouldn't be a problem, now that you're back and we're talking again." He smirked.
Now Hermione rolled her eyes, "I am not letting you copy off me!"
He pulled an innocent expression, "I know, but that doesn't mean you can't help me . . ."
She ignored this and soon they both went back to reading. Though, this time, Ron wasn't actually reading, and instead was just looking at Hermione the whole.
Eventually she sighed and looked back up at Ron. He immediately looked down at his book, and pretended he hadn't been staring at her.
"Do you think most everyone would be in bed by now?"
Ron looked at his watch, "I don't reckon so. It's only ten thirty. Plus it's a Friday night."
Hermione sighed again, laid her head on her arms, on top of her open book, and closed her eyes.
"Tired?" Ron asked.
"Yeah," she admitted, "but I don't want to deal with anyone right now."
"Well you could still go up to bed. If anyone bothers you, I'll just tell them to bugger off," he said chivalrously, sitting up straighter.
She turned her head, still resting on her arms, and gave him a small smile, "Thanks, Ron, but you wouldn't be able to keep Lavender or Parvati from bothering me in our dorm. I think I'm just going to wait until everyone should be asleep . . . but if you're tired, don't feel like you have to wait for me . . ."
"Are you kidding? Of course I'm going to wait for you," he said, as if it was ridiculous to think otherwise, "But I really think we should head up to the common room now. I'm sure barely anyone is still in there, and even if anyone does ask you anything, you can just tell them you've been sick, like we've been doing all week. Plus I know you'll hate me if we get caught out of the Gryffindor tower at night. Especially since we're prefects . . ."
Hermione groaned. "You're right . . ." she said. Then she smirked, "I can't believe it's you that's pointing out that we're prefects this time . . ."
He smirked back, "Well I guess after nearly six years you're finally starting to rub off on me."
"Maybe, but if that were it, then you'd probably have better studying habbits . . ."
Fortunately, neither of them got caught walking up to the Gryffindor tower. When they got there, Hermione was pleased to see that Ron was right, there was barely anyone left in the common room. She was, however, a little disappointed to see that Harry and Ginny had already gone up to bed. Seeing them would've been nice.
Ron went over and sat on one of the couches. Hermione followed and sat next to him.
As soon as they sat down, a couple of third years, that were passing by them to get to the dormitories, looked at Hermione. Then one of them whispred something while the other one nodded.
Hermione tried her hardest to not let it get to her, and pretend not to notice, but it made her stomach churn.
Ron seemed to notice, because he suddenly glared at the them and snapped, "Oi! What are you two looking at! ?"
They both jumped, as if they hadn't noticed him before, and rushed to the dormitories.
"You didn't have to snap at them," Hermione said, though she couldn't help the appreciative feeling toward him, "but thanks."
He smiled, "No problem."
Then, suddenly, Ron stood up.
Hermione looked at him questioningly.
"Er . . . you know what? I have something for you . . ." his ears started turning red, "Wait right here." Then he rushed up to the dormitory.
Hermione watched him, confused and startled.
He came back in just a few minutes, with a small box in his hand.
"Okay," he said, sitting back down, not handing her the box yet, "Well . . . er, this was supposed to be your Christmas present . . . but, well, you know. I got it before then. I almost sent it to you over break, but I was afraid you would've . . . I dunno, chucked it or something. I had mum send it to me this week. I figured . . . since we're talking again . . ." he trailed off as he handed her the box, his face turning red.
Hermione just stared at the box in his outstreched hand in disbelief. "Ron, you didn't have to-"
"There's no point, Hermione," he said, cutting her off, "I already did, and I'm not going to try to return it. I really want you to have it."
Her heart felt tugged at his words, but in a good way. She wanted to hug him and tell him it was the best present she's ever gotten, but that probably would've seemed strange since she hadn't even opened it yet.
"Um-well . . . th-thank you, I suppose," she said, finally taking it.
Ron looked amused, "Don't thank me 'til you've opened it."
Hermione looked at the box. She could tell exactly what was inside just by the shape and size of it: Jewelry. With this particular shape, it was most likely a necklace.
She started to feel panicked. She never wore jewelry, but of course now she was going to feel constantly obligated to wear whatever was in here.
Then she felt diappointed. Did he even know her at all? Did he just pick up some random piece of jewelry because thats typically what girls like?
No, she told herself, It's the thought that counts. Besides, it wasn't as if she had gotten him anything.
"Well? You gonna open it?"
Hermione looked back up at Ron. He looked worried and embarassed, as if he was regretting the whole thing.
"Sorry," she said quickly, "I just . . . feel bad because I didn't get you anything . . ."
He rolled his eyes, "Don't worry about it," he said, smirking, "I wasn't expecting anything. Just open it."
She slowly tore off the wrapping paper. The box it was in was dark green. She took the lid off and gave a small gasp.
It was a simple, modest, silver chained locket. It was heart-shaped and had Hermione written across it, in fancy cursive letters. It was absolutely stunning.
"Well?" Ron raised his eyebrows and looked at her apprehensively.
Finding her voice, she managed to choke out, "It-it-it's . . . beautiful, Ron! I-I-I . . . I don't know what to say . . ."
"Well, usually when given things, people tend to say 'thank you,'" he said, looking relieved. Then he said, "Open it."
She looked at him.
"The locket, I mean."
She looked back down at the locket. She was afraid to touch it, it seemed so flawless, but curiosity got the best of her. She opened the locket, and inside was small picture of her and Ron, in their first year, smiling and laughing.
She knew this picture, and remembered it being taken. Originally, Harry had been there too, but he had gotten cut out of this copy of the picture somehow, and for some reason this didn't bother her at all.
The picture added to how amazing this present was. She could definitely see herself wearing this everyday . . .
"This-this . . . is just amazing. I-I really-" Then she stopped, as something occured to her. She suddenly felt uncomfortable accepting it, but she didn't know how to tell him. The thing was, the Weasley's weren't exactly the richest people she knew . . . but she couldn't possibly ask him how he was able to afford it without offending him.
"Ron . . ." she said slowly, "This . . . must've been expensive . . ."
Immediately Ron's face turned a dark shade of red, and she could tell he knew what she was thinking. "Hermione, it's fine. It-it wasn't bad. I mean, I did . . . have to save up for it a bit, but really, it was no trouble."
She wasn't convinced, but didn't press the matter. She knew that the only thing worse than not having money to spend, for Ron, was having someone point it out to him when he was able to buy something really good. She just felt bad that he didn't buy something for himself.
Though, at the same time, she really wanted to keep this. She loved the necklace, almost enough to not feel guilty about taking it.
"Al-alright, but I'm going to have to get you something," she finally said.
Ron shook his head, "You don't have to-"
"No. I want to. Ron, this is . . ." she couldn't seem to find the right words to describe it. She loved how it was jewelry, but it was modest enough for her to want to wear it. She loved how it was personalized with her name. But most of all, she loved the picture. It was so sweet, and when she really looked at it, she saw her and Ron with a heart around them. She tried not over analyze this, and start searching for hidden meaning in what was really just a shape, but she couldn't help it. Hearts weren't really things that were involved in "just friend" relationships. Also, the fact that Harry wasn't in the picture . . . well, she couldn't help but notice that. Perhaps Ron didn't want her thinking about Harry when she thought about her and Ron . . . perhaps he didn't think about Harry when he thought about her and Ron . . .
She tried her hardest not to blush, as all of this ran through her head, but she knew she was failing miserably. She tried to shake it off, as she looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you."
He smiled back at her, "You're welcome. I'm glad you like it."
She shook her head, "I love it."
They both sat there for a little while, in the silence. Then Hermione yawned, which made Ron look at his watch.
"I-er-I think I'm going to go to bed . . . you should too. Get some rest . . ." he said.
Hermione couldn't help but smirk at the concern in his tone, but couldn't deny that she was very exhausted. "Yeah, I'm pretty tired . . ."
They both stood up and walk over to the staircase, but before either of them could walk up one of the separating stairwells, they both stopped and looked at each other.
Then, completely without thinking, Hermione reached up and kissed Ron on the cheek, before she could stop herself. She pulled back quickly, but it ended up being obvious that she didn't realize what she was doing until her lips were on his cheek.
Fortunately, it seemed Ron didn't even notice, because he was staring at her with wide eyes, and his mouth just slightly ajar.
"Again, thanks for the necklace, Ron. It's really amazing." Hermione rushed. Then she only gave Ron a second to respond, before turning, and practically running up the stairs.
Though she was embarassed about that last moment, she couldn't keep the smile off her face. She officially couldn't remember why her and Ron had even been in a fight in the first place.
so my biggest fear on this chapter was that you would think it was "out of character" for Ron. I, personally, don't think it is (but then again I wrote it, so my opinion might be a little biased . . .) and I really wanted to add some R/Hr mush (because I love them so much!).
I really just hope anyone one who read this didn't think it was a weird chapter. I had the idea of Ron giving her the locket for a while, and I was kinda iffy on it, but thought it would be really sweet :]
hope you liked, please review!