Chapter Eleven: BuenasNoches

A sound of distress escaped Hermione's lips. She stood rooted, her ability to think having left her suddenly. Her brain sped up trying to process what her eyes were seeing. If she hadn't been suffering under the penetrating glare of Ron's eyes she might have appreciated the comic element of the moment. Harry and Ginny were staring at her wide eyed and open mouthed, Ron's chin looked so stiff she feared it might shatter, and Si, who was completely oblivious to the adults who had gone suddenly quiet, continued to stuff potatoes into his mouth. "Ron?" she finally managed to choke.

"Ron?" Parker perked at the sound of his partner's name. "Is he here?" Parker's large hand landed on the door and pushed it open despite Hermione's panicked grip on the handle. He stepped into the room, forcing Hermione in as well, a broad smile on his face. "I didn't expect to see you here." He strode forward and clapped Ron on the shoulder.

Ron's eyes landed on Parker's hand "I could say the same for you." He frowned at it until Parker removed it and it was once again safely at his side.

"What are you doing here?" Parker asked, seemingly unaware of the tension his presences caused in the room.

"I'm having dinner with my sister and brother in law." His eyes landed on Hermione briefly, the bright blue orbs glowering accusingly. "I certainly wasn't expecting you to appear. Especially with present company." Hermione cringed back at the pure malice in his voice. She watched as he bent down to remove his daughter from the high seat at his side, knowing instinctually he was preparing to make his escape at the first possible opportunity.

"Hermione and I have been flat hunting." Parker said, clasping his hands together and rubbing them vigorously. "We've had a splendid time, but sadly we were unsuccessful. Hermione is very particular, but now at least I have a rough idea of what she's in the market for."

"Hermione," Ginny said, finally finding her voice and striding forward, "We weren't expecting you back so early."

"Early?" Hermione asked, thankful for a reason to look away from Ron. The rage in his eyes was almost hypnotic. "It's nearly eight."

"Is it?" the redhead glanced toward the ornate clock she had mounted on the wall. "So it is."

"Merlin, is it really?" Parker glanced down at his wristwatch as if he didn't trust the accuracy of Harry and Ginny's clock. "Where has the time gone? It feels as though we've just left the office. I shouldn't be surprised though. I've never had so much fun while shopping before. I hope you like the present Hermione purchased for Bryony, by the by. I helped pick it out." He said proudly.

"You two went shopping together?" Ginny asked, her eyes trained on Hermione.

"We did." Parker confirmed. "After the last flat I showed her proved inadequate Hermione mentioned how she had a few errands she needed to accomplish and I offered her my bag totting services."

"Did you?" Ron stopped to face him several paces from the door.

"Of course." Parker nodded, understanding what Ron was really asking him. "I offered my services to her. What gentleman wouldn't have when offered the prospect of spending the rest of the afternoon with such an attractive escort? As I said," he turned away from Ron and addressed Hermione and Ginny. "I appointed myself official bag carrier of the afternoon and Hermione insisted that as my reward I should escort her home. Rumor has it, to which I have Hermione's absolute guarantee, that the most beautiful newborn the world has ever seen resides in this house."

Her face losing some hostility at the mention of her child, Ginny's lips twitched as she tried to fight the beam of pride that was threatening to escape. Instead she offered Parker her hand in greeting. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"The pleasure, I assure you, Mrs Potter, is all mine." He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a chaste kiss to her knuckle.

Ginny lost her inner battle and smiled delightedly as Parker released her fingers from his grasp. "That's quiet enough of that." She placed her hands on her hips, perfecting a playful stance. "Unfortunately, I've just put Bryony down for the night."

"That's all right," Parker assured her. "As beautiful as your daughter undoubtedly is, I prefer the company of more – mature women." His eyes flickered a moment to Hermione at these words before returning to Ginny. "You look splendid, by the way. If Ron didn't speak of you constantly I would have no idea you had just given birth."

Blushing heavily, Ginny waved away his compliment. "No. I'm soft and mushy around the middle, my hips are huge, parts of me are wider then they have ever been and… and you probably don't want to hear all this." Her blush darkened further with embarrassment.

"Don't be ridiculous." Parker said emphatically. "You are, and I'm sure Harry would agree, more beautiful then ever."

"Really?" Ginny awkwardly adjusted the hem of her shirt.

"I've been trying to tell you that for days." Harry said, coming to his feet having finished cleaning the food off of Si's face and hands.

"Yes, but you're my husband." Ginny objected as Harry carried his son to the window where a large brown owl had started pecking at the glass. "You have to say that."

Harry pushed the window open and the large bird flew inside, over Harry's head, to land on the back of the chair nearest to Ron. Harry rejoined the group as Ron used one hand to untie the scroll from around the impatient bird's leg.

Harry came to Ginny's side and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I think you're stunning." He said as he pressed a kiss to the spot just bellow her left ear where she was most sensitive. "And I'm not just saying that because I'm your husband." He whispered, "I happen to believe it."

"You're a very lucky man, Harry."

Harry smiled contently as his arm tightened around his wife's waist, pulling her snug against his body. "I know."

"I hate to break this up," Ron said, though he didn't sound a bit of it, "but Parker and I are going to have to leave now. It looks as if one of our missing Death Eaters has finally left us a trail. We head out tonight."

Nodding assertively, Parker turned back to Hermione, the playful gleam gone from his eyes. It was apparent that time for social pleasure was over. He was all confident Auror now. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I'm afraid I am going to have to end this evening early."

"That's alright." She assured him. "I understand."

"Walk me out?"

Hermione nodded and Parker placed a hand comfortably on her back to lead her. Ron watched them, eyes narrowed irately as they disappeared through the door they had minutes before burst through. He whirled on Ginny. "What the hell was that?"

"Sorry?" she gapped.

"That!" He pointed at the empty doorway. "Them! What the hell?"

"I…I don't know. It appears they might have…"

"Don't even say it." Ron's voice was laced with warning.

"You asked me what I thought."

"This is completely unacceptable." Ron whirled around and began to pace. "This cannot be allowed to continue."

"Ron. Ron!" Ginny said more firmly as she drew him to a stop by putting her hands on either side of his face and forcing him to look at her. "What has gotten into you?"

"Nothing." He pulled his face free of her hands as he took a step back. "I just don't see why Parker is wasting his time pursuing her when she's only going to trample …What I mean to say is... I have to go." He turned toward the door, shifting the baby in his arms. "I have to stop by Mum's and see if she'll watch the baby."

"Ron." Ginny reached out to stop him again. "You don't have to go to Mum's. We'll take her."

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Of course." She held out her arms. "What's one more baby?"

"Thanks Gin." He handed the dark haired child into her arms after smothering her face in kisses and hugging her close. "I'll miss you sweet heart. You be good for your aunt Ginny and your uncle Harry. I owe you, Gin."

"I'll hold you to that."

Parker and Hermione were standing near the front door when Ron came into the hall. Despite himself, his eyes instantly went to where her hand was resting against Parker's arm and he had to force back the desire to rush forward and yank it off. "Make sure you stay safe." He heard her murmured before she turned and looked Ron in the eye. "Both of you."

He nodded curtly before moving past them to open the door and step outside.

"Don't worry," Parker's fingers tightened reassuringly, "I'll look after him."

"Don't trouble yourself on my account. I just don't want his daughter to lose another parent."

"I'll look out for him anyway. Good night, Hermione. Harry. Ginny." He nodded to the couple who joined them in the hall.

"Good night, Parker." Hermione eased the door closed behind him, hearing the soft pop of disappiration just before the door slid closed. "I didn't know it was possible to dissaperate that quietly."

"Sure." Harry came to stand by her. "It's part of the Auror training course. It's one of the first things they have to pass. We spend weeks mastering it."

"Can you still apperate that quietly?"

"Quieter. But, I have the advantage of directing our new candidates through the process."

"Harry," Ginny stepped forward, her eyes never leaving Hermione, "Would you mind bringing the children upstairs and readying them for bed? I'd like a moment alone with Hermione."

'Yeah. Sure." He nodded, setting Si on his feet so that he could accept the black haired baby from his wife. "Where should I put her?"

"Conjure another crib in Bryony's room. She'll only be here for a few days."

"Right." He nodded. "Come on, Si." He offered the little boy his hand. "Why don't we go upstairs and read the bunny book?"

Si pulled his thumb out of his mouth to take his father's hand. Together father and son climbed the stairs, Harry patiently waiting for Si's little legs to climb each step.

"What were you thinking?" Ginny hissed as Harry and Si rounded the landing and disappeared.

"What are you talking about?"

"How could you flaunt Parker in front of Ron like that?"

"I wasn't flaunting anyone." Hermione said, her hackles beginning to rise.

"Then why did you bring him home while Ron was here? That was…"

"I didn't know Ron was going to be here. How was I to know you were having Ron in for diner? You didn't tell me. If I had known I would have turned down Parker's offer of escort and come straight home to confront him, which you undoubtedly know, and would have forced him to speak with me. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not the one acting like a child. That honor belongs to your brother. Besides, aren't you the one who told me I should get out there and…and…test the waters?"

"Yes. But I didn't want you to torment my brother in the process."

"I very much doubt he give a wit what I do with my personal life."

"He cares more then you realize."

"Ginny," Hermione took a deep breath as she grasped her friends hand and squeezed it tight. "Listen to me. I know you still secretly harbor the hope that Ron and I will fall madly in love and get married and live happily ever after. Don't deny it." She held up a warning finger when Ginny made to deny it. "But it's not going to happen. I don't want it to happen. I just want to be his friend again. That's all. And if he's uncomfortable with the idea of me seeing other men, then he is going to have to learn to live with it because I am not going to live my life alone and I am not going to stop being friends with you and Harry. Besides that, Parker and I are just friends. That's all. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go and Floo Bea"

Ginny watched Hermione walk up the steps, her back ramered straight. She couldn't believe how unbelievably stubborn Hermione was being. She knew full well that Hermione has been in love with Ron five years ago just as she knew she was at least half in love with him now. And that was nothing compared to the passion she had seen in Ron's eyes moments ago when he was speaking about Hermione.

She wished she could think of a way to push the two together, but there was a surmountable obstacle standing in their way. Ron.

If Hermione was stubborn, Ron was immovable. He had been amassing an impenetrable brick wall around his heart for the past five years in an attempt to prevent anyone from hurting him again. In the process, however, he had also unintentionally trapped all the old emotions and feelings deep inside as well. It was the only way to explain his questionable reaction every time he came into contact with her. Hermione still had the ability to get under his skin. It was almost poignantly ironic. Ron had built the wall around his heart in an attempt to protect it from Hermione and yet she was the only one who had the ability to find his weakness and penetrate it.

Ron did not like having her home. That much was apparent. Never before in her life had Ginny seen him this uneasy and tense. He didn't smile very much anymore, not that he really had over the past five years. It wasn't until recently that his grin had started to reappear with more frequency and now it was gone again. It was almost as if he sensed the fact that he was losing ground where Hermione was concerned and had become more stoic in his attempt to refortify his protection. The only way the hypothetical walls were coming down was if Ron took them down himself, and there didn't seem to be much chance of that happening peacefully.

What really needed to happen was for Ron and Hermione to bash down the walls together in one earth shattering row like they use to. True, they might hate each other for a while afterward, but it was the only way she could think of that they could be friends again. It was how it always worked in the past. And as much as she would love to find the fuse that would ignite that particular explosion and get it done with, she knew she couldn't. She was helpless to do anything but stand back and watch and be there to help pick up the pieces.

Sighing heavily, Ginny cast a spell to turn out all remaining lights on the main floor. Placing her hand on the banister, Ginny began climbing the stairs. The rest of the house could wait until morning. She came to a stop outside Si's room, being drawn towards it by the gentle tenor of Harry's voice. Through the open gap she could see Harry sitting on the floor, his back against the bed with Si sitting in his lap holding the book Harry was reading to him. Ginny smiled as she recognized the closing lines of Benjamin Bunny. The small picture book was Si's very favorite and out of all the books in his collection it was the one he wanted read the most. He even knew the book so well that he could anticipate the page turns, and did so with nothing short of a child like reverence.

"Alright Si," Harry said closing the book. "Time for bed."

Ginny watched, a smile on her lips, as the small boy climbed off his father's lap and scrambled up into the bed. Without waiting for his father's instructions to budge over, Si moved as close to the wall as he could so that Harry could climb on the bed with him and lay on his back so that they were both looking at the ceiling with their arms crossed behind their heads in a matching pose. "What story should I tell you tonight?" Harry asked, turning his head to look at Si. "Have I told you about my first Quidditch match?" Si looked up at him with his big green eyes and blinked. "No? I was a first year. The youngest seeker in a century to play for a house team."

Backing slowly away from the door so as not to disturb them, Ginny turned and made her way to the bedroom she shared with Harry, leaving them to their nightly bout of story telling. It was unbearably sweet and heartbreaking at the same time. Every night before Si went to bed, Harry would lay with him, like he was now, and tell him a story of one of the many adventures he had had while in school. Si would listen quietly until the end of the story, and somehow, miraculously, he would stay awake until the very end, even if it meant fighting off the sleep that was creeping in. Ginny knew with almost certainty that it was a tradition that would continue up until Si left for school and one that had been born out of the desire to ensure that Si knew his father encase the very worst should happen. Harry didn't want Si to suffer the same way he had by not knowing his parents.

Once inside her room, Ginny set about getting ready for bed, first brushing out her hair and plaiting it into one long rope down the middle of her back, then disappearing into the adjoined bathroom to clean her teeth and face. By the time she returned to the bedroom Harry was sitting on the end of the bed, removing his shoes and socks.

"Is Si asleep?"

Harry glanced up at her. "Yeah. Out like a light as soon as I finished my story. How are you feeling?" He held his hand out and pulled her onto his lap the moment their fingers touched.

"Tired." She admitted as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'll have to get up in an hour or so to feed Bryony and –"

"I'll get up with you."

"No." Ginny shook her head, removing it from his shoulder so that she could properly look at him. "There's no need for the both of us to be tired tomorrow when there really is nothing you can do to help at this point."

"I don't think it's fair you do it all yourself."

"I don't mind really." She slipped off his lap and moved to the hamper. "I actually like having that time alone with her where it's just us." She pulled off each article of clothing and dropped it inside, holding the lid open so that Harry could do the same.

"Oh, I see how it is." He pulled off his trousers and threw them in with the rest of the clothes while Ginny pulled on the shirt she had stolen from Harry years ago and slept in almost every night. "You just don't want me around."

"If that'll keep you out of the nursery and in bed, then yes, I don't want you around."

"Careful love," Harry took hold of her and pulled her suddenly to him, holding her so that their bodies fitted snuggly together, "or I might get the idea you don't want me around."

"Well," she placed a hand on his chest and played with the sprinkle of dark hair that feathered his torso, "I suppose you are useful to keep around. You do get me a spot at the best tables in the nicest restaurants."

"Wench," Harry fell playfully onto the bed, taking Ginny with him, kissing her soundly as they fell. "If all you wanted was a good meal ticket you could always use your brother."

"True." She nodded with mock seriousness, "But he isn't nearly as fun to look at. And," she placed a kiss to his chin, "besides being unbelievably attractive, you also happen to have the added perk of being one hell of a fantastic shag."

Chuckling with satisfaction, Harry leaned forward and drew her into a hungry kiss. "You're not so bad yourself, Mrs Potter." He whispered in her ear before pressing a kiss to her neck.

Ginny tipped her head back on a sigh, lifting her chin and exposing more of her neck to Harry's touch. "I love it when you call me that." Harry drew back to look at her. "I waited a long time to have that particular privilege."

"I've made that up to you, haven't I love?"

Ginny smiled as she reached up to brush his black hair out of his eyes. "In excess." She assured him, smiling contently when the anxiety melted from his vivid eyes.

Harry planted one final kiss on her lips before rolling off her and to his feet. "So what was so important I had to leave the room so you could talk to Hermione alone?"

Ginny let out a harsh sigh as she crawled to the head of the bed where she tugged back the covers so she could slip between the sheets. "I needed to speak to her about the insensitive way she's been behaving around Ron.

Harry raised a curious brow at her while he tugged on his bottoms. "Did I hear you right?"

Ginny crossed her legs under the blankets. "I'm aware Ron has been less then civil with her, but at least he hasn't gone and flaunted any women in front of her."

"Who would he flaunt? He hasn't given a single woman a second glance since Hermione left."

"Precisely." She flipped back the covers on Harry's side of the bed so that he could crawl in beside her. "He's obviously not over his feelings for her and Hermione can't be unaware of that. And so it's simply cruel of her to bring her dates home, in the off chance he might be here, especially when said date if suppose to be one of his best mates. And how Parker can even conceive of the notion to pursue her like he has is unthinkable. Isn't there suppose to be some ancient male code of conduct you all adhere to when it comes to matters such as this?"

"Ginny," Harry wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her gently onto her back and then flush with his body. "Know that I say this with the highest regard of your feelings, shut up and go to sleep."

"But-"

"No. It's none of our business how those two choose to deal with their issues. It was something I leaned to deal with in school. The more you push them toward reconciliation the more they dig their heels in. The only thing we can do is be patient, listen when they want to talk, which they usually don't, and wait for them to come to terms on their own. There's nothing else we can do."

Ginny turned into Harry's body and tucked her chin into his shoulder. "What if they don't reconcile? I hate seeing them unhappy like this."

Harry sighed and pressed a kiss to her crown. "If they are meant to be together they will find a way to work this out."

"Harry," Ginny used a finger to draw circles on his chest. "I was the one who told Hermione to start seeing other guys. It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"It was." He said simply after a moments pause.

"Really?" Ginny propped herself up on her elbow. "At first I thought so too. It was the advice she gave me concerning you. But after seeing Ron's reaction I am not so certain anymore."

"No," Harry shook his head. "I think you were right. Ron's always gone insanely jealous anytime another bloke has so much as looked twice at her. Becoming jealous might just be what he needs to get angry enough to start yelling at her. If that happens they might actually hatch everything out."

"Or," Ginny said sadly, "It might end their friendship forever."

"So let me see if I understand the situation. You are upset because he caught you flirting with Parker Gale?"

"I do not know if you can call it flirting. It was more…playful bantering."

Beila raised her brows skeptically. "It matters not what you call. Why are you letting this upset you?"

"You did not see his face."

"I do not need to. I do not care. Why do you let him affect you like this? You told me you were finished with him."

"I am."

"Mio. Do not lie to me."

Hermione lowered her head shamefully. "I did not think it would be this difficult. I suppose it is true, you never fully forget your first love."

"Then stay away from. Do not give him the chance to reclaim that hold over you."

"I can not cut him out of my life Bea. I tried that. I miss him. I would rather have him in my life as a friend over not at all. And as long as we both remain friends with Harry, I will never be able to cut him from my life."

Beila's head bobbed in the fire for several moments before she met Hermione's eyes once again. "I wish you would come home."

Hermione sighed as she wrapped her arms around her knees and drew them up close to her chest. "I am home."

"Is there no one in England you can talk with? Who will watch out for you while I can not?"

"No." Hermione shook her head sadly. "Everyone here I am close to is close with him also. It would be… uncomfortable. Besides, I have you. I do not need anyone else."

"Yes." Bea sighed. "You have me."

"It is becoming late." Hermione glanced at the clock sitting on the mantle. "I think I will go and sleep."

"Mio!"The dark haired girl called when her friend began to rise to her feet. "Keep strong." She tried tentatively in English. "You will not always be alone."

Hermione smiled her gratitude. "Buenas noches."

"Buenas noches."

The fire flickered and Beila's head disappeared from the flame. Hermione finished climbing to her feet and moved to the bed where she sat and unseeingly stared at the wall. How had her life come to this? How could she have let so many years pass without trying to mend her relationship with Ron? It was no wonder he was angry with her. She would be angry too. She was angry. But why was it up to her to try and mend their relationship? But she knew why. It was because Ron wouldn't. And while she recognized the wisdom in Bea's advice, she knew she couldn't cut Ron out of her life. It was impractical to even consider. As long as she remained friends with Harry, Ginny, and the rest of the Weasley family, their paths would continue to cross and she was no more willing to give them up then Ron was.

But perhaps it was time for her to try a new tactic, seeing as confrontation did not appear to work. Trying to force the issue with Ron wasn't making any headway, a part of her knew it never would, and the tension that ensued every time they were in the same room together wasn't acceptable either. They had no right to make the others as uncomfortable as they did. Really there was only one option left. She need to act as if nothing had ever happened and treat him like she would any one of her other friends. It would be difficult of course, Ron would resist her every attempt of friendship, but she would no longer put herself, or her friends, through this if she could avoid it.

Mind made up, Hermione rose to her feet and quickly dressed into her nightwear. Once her hair was pulled back and plaited low on her scalp, she made for the wash room where she would scrub her face and clean her teeth.

Carrying her bathroom tote with her, she made her way down the hall but stopped at the sound of whimpering coming from Bryony's room. Hesitating for a moment while she considered leaving the baby alone for Ginny to handle or going in to check on her, she finally set the tote on the floor outside the room and went in. She came to a sudden stop when she spotted the second crib and remembered that Ron's daughter would be staying with them while he was on his mission.

Hermione stepped further into the room and followed the sound of whimpering to the new crib that was set up against the opposite wall of Bryony's. She peered over the rail inside and found Ron's daughter staring up at her in the darkness, her eyes bright with tears, her cheeks wet.

Hermione leaned over the crib and crossed her arms on the rail. She stared intently at the little girl for several minutes, observing her every feature before sighing heavily. "I can't believe Ron is a dad." She reached down and soothingly stroked the tear stained cheek, brushing away some of the wetness. "It's strange. I don't see a bit of him in you. No freckles. Small nose. Black hair and violet eyes. I always thought the Weasley genes were the most dominant, they all look exactly alike. You must take after your mother. You know, I have never seen purple eyes before. I knew it was possible of course, but I had never seen it. I think you will be a very beautiful young lady someday."

The child's soft sobs continued, her chest shaking with each unsteady breath.

"You know, I don't even know what your name is or who your mother was. And I can't very well ask Ginny or Harry or any of the other Weasleys. How embarrassing would that be to ask your aunty what your name is when I've known about you as long as I have. But then again we have never been formally introduced. I'm Hermione, by the way. I use to be best friends with your dad. I use to know everything about him. In fact, I think I knew him best." Hermione swallowed audibly. "I thought he was really very wonderful. But er… he didn't seem to think the same about me." She forced a sad smile on her lips.

"Would you listen to me talk to you like any of this even matters anymore. I'm sure your dad would not be happy to learn I had dared talk to you. He's terribly mad at me as a matter of fact." Hermione tilted her head slightly to the side. "You wouldn't happen to know why he's mad at me would you?" The baby blinked at her, causing two more tears to roll silently down her cheeks. "Of course you couldn't answer me that even if you had the ability to talk. I understand completely. The bond between father and daughter is a very special one. Believe me, I know. Before I left for Hogwarts I was very close with my dad. We aren't so close anymore. It was hard, him being a muggle, me being a witch. I was gone almost the entire year at Hogwarts and the last few years I spent more time with your family then I did with my parents. And now I live completely in the magic world and dad tries to understand, God love him he does, but he just can't. You, luckily, won't have that problem. Your daddy is a wizard so he'll always understand you."

Seeing that the child was still distraught and sensing her need to be held, Hermione reached into the crib and lifted her up, nestling her into her shoulder. "We don't have to tell you dad I held you. We'll just keep this out little secret." Swaying gently as she walked, she made for the rocking chair set in a dark corner safe from the light of the door or window. She eased into the seat, expecting the wooded spindles to groan as they accepted her weight, but it remained miraculously quiet. Hermione smiled when she realized someone must have cast a permanent silencing charm on the chair for that reason.

Pushing her feet against the ground she set the chair into motion. She moved the child so that she was cradled against her stomach and ran a soothing hand along her spine like she had seen Ron do that day in the hospital and found it had the soothing affect desired. "Don't worry, little girl," she soothed, "Your daddy will be home soon. You'll see. You'll hardly have missed him."

All she wanted to do was go home, climb into bed, and sleep until all the weariness was gone from her body. The past two days at the Ministry had been two of her most grueling yet. While Ron, Parker and the rest of the Alpha Squad were in Eastern Europe tracking their escaped Death Eater, she was trapped at the Ministry making sure all the legal channels were covered before they caught him and tried to extradite him back into England. And if the hectic schedule she was being forced to keep at work were not enough, she had been up half the night for the past two, calming Ron's child and rocking her until she fell asleep, not that she really minded the last. She found her hours spent rocking the baby to sleep almost soothing, but she did not care for the lack of sleep it caused her.

Putting down her quill a moment to rub at the mounting pain in her neck, Hermione turned over her wrist to glance at her watch. It was nearly nine o'clock. She should have gone home hours ago.

Looking at the last of the documents she needed to finish in order to get the Alpha Squad's clearance, she mentally calculated how long it would take. Deciding that she could finish first thing in the morning, she gathered her things together and made for the designated appiration area.

Arriving with a pop in the Grimmauld Places foyer, she wasted no time dropping her belongings in their usual spot on the hall table before turning and mounting the steps to the upper floors.

"Hermione!" She heard her name called as she stepped onto the first landing.

"I'm not hungry, Ginny." She called over the banister. "I'm just going to go to bed tonight."

Ginny stepped into the foyer, a sleeping Bryony in her arms. "Are you certain?"

"Yes. I really am very tired."

"That's unfortunate. You have a guest here who's been waiting for you."

"A guest?" Hermione asked with mounting disbelief and aggravation. Why was everything going against her today?

"I really think you ought to come down. She's been waiting nearly three hours."

"Three hours?" She turned and hurried herself down the stairs. "Why didn't you just send her on her way and had me get back to her when I could?"

"Because," Hermione froze mid-step, "It was a long journey. And I worked very hard to make it possible."

Hermione threw herself at the banister, bending herself in half to look over the rail. "Bea!" She shouted, all weariness forgotten at the sight of her friend. "Oh my God," She took off at a run, hurtling herself down the remaining steps, her impractical shoes sliding on the smooth floor of the foyer in her haste to get to her friend.

The two girls threw themselves into each other's arms and hugged furiously, rocking back and forth in their excitement. "What are you doing here?" Hermione asked when they finally pulled apart. She held tight to her friend's arms as if she were afraid if she would let go the Spanish girl would disappear.

"You were so sad. I knew you needed me here with you. I asked for Friday and Monday off and here I am."

"I am so glad you are here." Hermione pulled her friend into another hug. "I can not believe you did this."

"You would have done the same for me."

"Si," Hermione agreed, "I would have."

"Well," Ginny said, drawing out the word to not only gain their attention but remind them subtly that she did not speak Spanish, "I'll just leave you two at it then. Harry's already upstairs and I'll be joining him, so you two feel free to play catch up any way you wish without worrying about disturbing anyone. Do what ever you need to do. So, I'll bid you both good night. It was a pleasure to finally meet you Beila."

"And you as well."

"She is very nice." Beila said as Ginny rounded the corner of the second landing and disappeared from sight. "She has played host to me for hours without complaint. She was too kind. Harry too. I can see why you like them both. They are wonderful people."

"Yes, they are." Hermione strung her arm through Beila's and steered her toward the kitchen. "Suddenly, I am not so tired. I am hungry."

"Wonderful. I have always wanted to taste this dreadful English cuisine I have heard so much of."

"I take offense to that. English food might not have the spice of Spanish, but no one can cook like Molly Weasley." Hermione pushed open the door to the kitchen and prompted Bea to take a seat while she began to dig through the cupboards and the icebox. "I am afraid you will have to wait to try our dreadful cuisine. Tonight we feast." She returned to the table, arms laden with an assortment of chocolate goodies and biscuits which she poured into one large heap in front of her friend. "Now is the time for chocolate."

"Mio, you are evil. You know my weakness."

"At least it is one that we share." Hermione pulled a stack of chocolate covered digestives out of their tube shaped packaging and placed them on a napkin in front of herself . She snapped the first biscuit in half and popped one half into her mouth and closed her eyes as she savored the taste. "These are my favorite."

"What is it?"

"Muggle treat. Try one." She angled the tube toward Bea who tentatively pulled one free and nibbled at the rounded edge.

Bea's eyes grew large as she took another bite. "That is good."

"See." Hermione crammed another biscuit between her lips. "I still can not believe you are here."

"I have always wanted to see England. And I really believed you needed me to come."

"I did. I hate that you are so far away."

"I am here now. Now talk."

Hermione sat up in surprise. "What do you want me to say?"

"Why do not start by admitting that you are in love with this Ronald Weasley."

"What?" Hermione gapped with shock and disbelief, reverting to her native English in surprise. "That's ridiculous. I am not in love with Ronald Weasley."

"Of course you are." Bea said dismissively."Why else would you speak of him every time you contact me? He is all you ever talk about and I believe he is all you think about also."

"No. He makes my crazy. I have no one here to vent too. They all think he is so wonderfulAll I have is you."

"If you had no feelings for him there would be no reason for you to vent to me. He would not have the power to make you crazy."

"That is absurd. You do not know what you are talking about."

"If you insist."

"Yes." Hermione nodded. "I do."

"Perhaps there is someone else?"

Hermione snorted with disbelief. "Like who? Parker?"

"Exactly."

"No, no, no." Hermione shook her head. "You have that all wrong. Parker and I are only friends."

"You told me you flirt with him."

"I do. But he flirts with all females."

"And you said he is handsome."

"I did, however…"

"And he is charming?"

"You know he is. I already told you that."

"And he seems to like you very much. If you are finished with Ronald, as you say, why have you not accepted Parker's invitation to have dinner?"

Hermione set aside the biscuit she had been nibbling and lowered her head so that Beila could not see the pain, fear and uncertainty she knew must be clouding her eyes. "Because," she croaked, "I'm scared."

Bea reached across the table to grip Hermione's hand and squeeze it comfortingly. "What are you scared of, Mio?"

Hermione shook her head. "You'll think I'm being foolish."

"I will not. Tell me."

"I was so in love with him." She admitted after several minutes of silence where Bea sat quietly and continued to comfortingly hold her had. "I had been in love with him for a very long time. And because of that he's hurt me a great deal over the years. But nothing he ever did hurt so much as the realization that he had used me, rejected me and then cast me aside."

"How, Mio? How did he use you?"

Hermione shook her head adamantly, pulling her hands free of Bea's. "It is not important." She returned to Spanish. "It does not matter anymore."

"I think it does."

"No." Hermione shook her head again. "He made me feel weak and I did not like that. I will not allow him or anyone to make me feel that way again."

"Sometimes it is necessary to make ourselves vulnerable to obtain the things that will make us most happy."

"I am not talking about being made to feel vulnerable, though I do not like that either. I speak of being made to feel weak. I will not allow that to happen to me again."

"Very well."Beila nodded. "I understand. I do think you should give Parker a chance, though."

"Why?"

Beila shrugged. "If he is your friend he will not want to hurt you and can be used as practice for who evercomes next"

"You want me to use him?"

"No." she shook her head."I want you to give him a chance. You never know what may happen."

"I will think about it."

"That is all I ask. I suppose you must work tomorrow? I thought of Flooing you and letting you know my plans so you could take time off work. But I realized you never take time off work so it would not matter either way. Besides, I thought it would be more fun if it were a surprise."

"It was wonderful finding you hear as a surprise. It was exactly what I needed. And I do need to go in to work in the morning. There are some documents I need to finish tomorrow. But I might be able to make it half a day."

"That would be nice." Bea smiled."I would like you to show me….Die-a-gone Alley."

"Diagon Alley? I can show you that."Hermione glanced down at her wrist watch. "But, if I am going to be awake tomorrow to show you around I need to sleep. Where are you staying?"

"I was going to stay in an inn but Ginny told me I was being foolish and that I must stay here. She has already shown me where my room is located."

"You go ahead." Hermione motioned her out of the door. "I want to make sure this is all put away before Ginny wakes up in the morning. I hate leaving a mess."

"I can help."

"No. You are my guest. Please. I will see you in the morning."

"If you are certain?"

"I am."

"Alright. Buenas noches, Mio."

"Buenas noches, Bea."

Hello Everyone. I am so sorry for the long wait that I put you all through. Life has been kicking me down for the past month and a half and it's made it very difficult to write. I am also now coming up on the end of my term and I'm finishing up my exams and preparing to head home for the Holidays, at which point I expect to get a lot done. I can't make any promises of course, no one knows what's in store for us so how can I, but I'll do my best to be more prompt.

I also wanted to take an extra moment to thank everyone who reviewed once again. Like I said, life has not been good to me recently and having your reviews some days made all the difference in the world. I love opening my e-mail to find my inbox filled with reviews. It brings my joy beyond expression, so thank you.

Thank you as well to all of you nameless readers. It's wonderful to know you are out there, hopefully enjoying my work. Hoping you all enjoyed this chapter, Noterwomann