Disclaimer: I don't own HP! :)
A/N: Hey guys, updating on time! I have a new system - I write things down in a notebook throughout the week and then type it up on Wednesday nights - and it seems to be working well. Anyway, the Cultural Food Fair went well and this week is AP exams. English Literature is tomorrow... at seven in the morning!
ANYWAY, thank you all so much who reviewed - I really appreciate every one of them. Also, I promise this story is going to pick up soon. I know I've been taking pretty long going over the events in just two or three days, but they are vital. Soon, time will start moving more quickly. :)
Enjoy!
It took a while, but finally the door swung open. Seamus as greeted heartily – like a hero come home from battle – by a weathered Mr. Weasley. The older man clasped Seamus' hands fully in his own with the exuberance of a child. It was easy to smile and speak freely and Seamus treasured it greatly. It was the kind of familial bond he wished for after nightmares or coming home to find his apartment empty or after another gift-less birthday had passed.
Mr. Weasley led him through the grungy main hall and up the staircase. "You'll find them all here," he assured Seamus in a warm, aged voice. He smiled and placed his hand on the young man's shoulder, pushing him on. Seamus stumbled, but regained his footing and began his way. "Had quite a tussle over breakfast, the four of them, but they're all back to some sort of friendship again. Won't find any trouble, I hope!"
"Thank you, sir," Seamus answered firmly, looking over his shoulder to show Mr. Weasley the gratitude his face held. It was wonderful to be treated as a friend, a son.
"No problem at all," Arthur exclaimed, slightly surprised at the use of formality. However, Seamus Finnigan was quite an exception to the young men he saw today. Seamus did not slouch, drag his feet, wear rumpled clothing, or mumble his words. It made Arthur proud to know him.
Seamus nodded goodbye as his companion took to the stairs again slowly, arthritically. Then, he was alone in the great expanse of hallway. It was eerie standing all alone, listening to the creaks of the stairs receding, being replaced with the soft murmur of voices. Mr. Weasley had said 'four' and Seamus wondered who the last person was.
The first door he came upon was open slightly and revealed a sparse room that was well-lit with the afternoon sun. He recognized Hermione's gentle murmur immediately and he gripped the handle. He would wait for a moment to ensure he wasn't intruding on anything too personal. There was the rumble of a deep male voice, but it belonged to someone foreign – perhaps the fourth guest.
Seamus knocked politely and then thrust his head through the opening. The room's brightness highlighted the face there was almost nothing to it – a fireplace, a table, a few dusty chairs. Hermione occupied one and Charlie sat in the other, a table between them. Both persons seemed a little awed by their visitor, but neither rose to greet him.
Hermione's face melted in relief and turned easily into a smile. She was at peace for the moment and Seamus was glad. "Seamus!" she cried. Carefully setting down the fan of cards she was holding, Hermione pulled her chair away from the game.
"Please," Seamus grinned, holding his hands out in a warding gesture, "don't get up. Don't stop your game at my expense."
"Stop?" Charlie bluffed, "I should think not. I won't quit until I've trounced the little devil. She's won every game so far!" He leaned back in his chair, throwing Hermione a look and stretching his massive arms above his head.
She flushed elegantly. "Luck," she dismissed the hidden compliment with a wave of her hand.
"Pure skill," Charlie countered.
"No doubt about that," Seamus smiled. He walked inside and closed the door to its original position.
"Come to whisk her away so soon, Finny?" Charlie laughed, cracking his knuckles. There was a hint of sadness to his voice, his eyes betraying his confidence.
Seamus nodded and tried not to notice the resentful look ready on Hermione's face. It wasn't meant for him explicitly. "Soon," he replied, "but I've got to speak to Ron first about some arrangements. It should give you enough time to win one."
Charlie winked at Hermione across the table. "Or twice, if we're quick about it."
The tension was eased as soon as the words had been spoken. The fact she was leaving had been acknowledged and everyone had chosen to hide their disappointment about it. They may as well enjoy the time they had. Time was precious.
"You're going to speak with Harry as well?" Hermione resumed her cards as Charlie shuffled the deck deftly.
Seamus raised a thick eyebrow. His heart thudded uncertainly in his chest, panic blooming in the pit of his stomach. Surely he had heard the phrasing incorrectly. "Why would I speak to Harry? He's got nothing to do with this." His tongue was thick and dry against his teeth.
Hermione balked for a moment and Seamus did not take her expression well. "He's here, Seamus," she told him slowly, thinking over his puzzling question. The answer dawned on her in a moment. "Oh! Yes, that's right – you left before he came." She shrugged. "Well, point is, he's in the common room up the hall is you need him. I'm sure he'd love to catch up. I'd love the extra time."
Seamus felt himself suddenly go cold. It swept through him so rapidly; he did not have time to realize how stiff he had become. His jaw was locked tightly – the muscle bulging – and his fingers curled into his palms angrily. Harry was at Grimmauld Place, probably only a few rooms away, probably waiting for him.
Perhaps Ginny had contacted him – told him it was over… perhaps that was why Mr. Weasley had treated him with such kindness and familiarity. Or maybe Ginny had changed her mind – called on Harry to come and rescue her. She didn't know that Seamus had come back. Possibly she had conned them both. It was impossible to tell, but he strongly felt that his first thought was the best.
"You alright, mate?" Charlie asked after a brief silence had passed. His face was stony, he was acting as if he knew what Seamus was thinking.
"…Yes," it was hard to force the word out; because it was quite obvious Seamus was far from being fine.
Hermione glanced up from her deck and was surprised by the sudden change in mood. "You look a bit peaky, Seamus," her voice was critical and slightly worried.
It took effort to shake his head, but eventually Seamus accomplished the task.
"Probably just wary from his trip," Charlie quickly explained away Seamus' weird behavior. "Poor man has been running about for so long, he probably doesn't even remember how to relax. Perhaps he should include him in our game so I can have someone to take advantage of."
This made Hermione's smile return. Dread seemed to run densely through his veins as Seamus stood rooted to his place. Not only was he going to have to face the man who held claim over the woman who entranced him, but Charlie knew about it. If Charlie knew, then surely Bill did too, and Fleur, and Mrs. Weasley…
Charlie glanced over his shoulder nonchalantly and glared at Seamus. "Maybe," he said through gnashed teeth, "you'd prefer to sit for awhile. Gin is reading in the sitting room down the hall. She'd make space for you."
Seamus swallowed. "Yes," he agreed in a troubled murmur. "I think that'd be a good idea. Just rest up for awhile."
"Take your time," Hermione told him, her real interest in the cards.
"Yes," Charlie agreed. "Don't rush things."
Seamus again nodded and turned, feeling the heat of the sunshine vanish from his body. Again he was alone in the darkened hallway. His steps were quick and hasty. He found his grasp was shaky around the door handle. There were no voices and Seamus assumed it was the sitting room. His chest hurt with every breath he took.
Seamus sighed at the first sight of Ginny's vibrant red hair, his shoulders drooping considerably. The room was arranged so that the chair Ginny rested in faced away from the door, instead facing her towards the grandiose bookshelves she had chosen her reading from. She turned swiftly to peer over the back of the armchair when she heard the door creak. Ginny looked astounded to see him.
"Seamus?" her voice was merely a shocked whisper. "I didn't think you'd be back so soon."
Seamus crossed the room hesitantly at first, drawing courage from the way she said his name. Their relationship was unsteady and fragile and most likely wrong, but those thoughts vanished in the first few moments he saw her set, beautiful face. He treasured those very seconds with sick pleasure.
"I came to move Ron and Hermione to their new place – they made it sound like you already knew that," he told her, his lips desperately hiding a smile.
Ginny shook her head and closed her text. "Yes, of course I knew they were leaving. I just didn't think it would be you to take them." She shrugged, trying to cast off the uncomfortable shivers that ran over her arms. "You said you might not come back for a while."
"It was last minute," Seamus lied. His intention by leaving Grimmauld Place early was to distance himself from Ginny, to allow that time to convince him that the tiny crush meant nothing at all. However, he couldn't stop seeing her smile, smelling hints of her everywhere, hearing her lilting voice in crowded conversations. He had done everything but beg Viktor to let him work the small assignment. She was addicting.
"Oh," was all that Ginny could reply. She looked at her hands.
"Don't worry," Seamus continued, confused. She wasn't happy to see him. She hadn't even looked at him. There was a slight annoyance to his voice. "I'll be gone soon after. I have a mission that should last a few weeks. You won't have to worry about me popping up again."
Ginny recoiled from the sharpness. He stepped closer to her, his pulse pounding hot in his body. His thoughts hummed in his ears.
"Seamus," she said his name softly.
"I tried to say goodbye once already," Seamus said earnestly, closing the gap between them. "I've found that I'm pretty incapable of keeping my word."
Ginny stared at him with a scared sort of wonder. She was grasping for words, but they kept slipping through her shaky fingers. She felt his warm, solid hands grip her shoulders firmly.
"N-"
Seamus pressed his lips on her, moving and pushing them with want. Ginny moved without thinking, the scene becoming a foggy blur. She pushed him away with a swift shove.
"What are you thinking?" she hissed, feeling her eyes moisten with anger and guilt. She took a few steps backward that made her intentions very clear. She didn't want to be near him. The gesture pained Seamus greatly and he tensed, shame and rejection rushing in his blood. Her fingers shook as she traced the outline of her lips.
Seamus wavered. What had he done? It was unmistakable – Ginny did not want him. The horrified look on her face was evidence enough. Why hadn't he thought his actions out more carefully? Why had he been so stupid?
"I thought…" his throat was tight.
Ginny vehemently shook her head. "Forget whatever it is you thought I wanted! Things are changing." Seamus moved to come closer again, but she backed away, crying, "Don't! Just stay where you are."
"What the hell are you thinking, Gin? I honestly have no idea anymore – do you know that I –"
"Harry is here, Seamus," Ginny interrupted with malice and fear laced in her voice. "He's here in the next room and isn't leaving again. He promised me that. You can't just do that now." Part of her heart cried for him. She hated saying the words; hated having to pain him, but it had to be done.
"So that's what you meant by 'everything's changing,'" Seamus growled. "You just used me until the man you really cared about took the time to notice you again, compliment you, promise you things that everyone knows he has no control over." His knees locked beneath his rigid weight.
"I didn't use you!" Ginny snapped, her chest burning. Her expression softened a hint. "I never meant to do that, I know you understand. He just came back. I didn't know." She shifted warily in front of him. "It's not like anything was set in stone between us."
"So I'm supposed to sympathize with you," Seamus answered coldly, his arms crossing his chest in a defensive stance. "I'm going to be the best friend, the shoulder to lean on. I'm going to have to pretend that I'm not completely infatuated with you, that I don't think about you everywhere I go. It's that simple, is it?"
"Seamus!" Ginny shouted out of exasperation. "Please!"
"No," he answered in an angry voice.
"Haven't you ever been in love?" Ginny asked. "And felt what I'm feeling now? Don't you know that I'd do anything for him? I don't mean to hurt you – I just don't want to hurt him more."
"Everyone I love is dead."
His words were final and hung thick in the air. Ginny was in a haze.
"I'm sorry, Seamus. Truly, I am. I never meant for this to happen."
"I'm sorry, too," Seamus' voice was shaking. "Sorry that I ever came back."
And with those last sentiments, Seamus swiftly exited the room.
--
The ruffling of the cards sounded like a flock of birds had entered the room, their wings vibrantly lifting and lowering in unison. Hermione imagined the scene and the comical look on Charlie's face for the second or so her eyes closed. When the faux-flapping ceased, Hermione stretched and went to look upon her hand. The game was simple, nondescript and it passed the time quite well.
They played at a small table, facing each other over the deck in the center. It gave Hermione time to catch uncensored glimpses of the lines that had taken years to permanently etch themselves around Charlie's mouth and eyes. He still smiled like a child, though, and reminded her of past days. Charlie was still strong, grounded, and seemingly content with his surroundings. It made conversation come easy and light.
"I'm glad to see you and Ron getting along again," his voice was naturally low and gravelly, pleasant to her ears.
Hermione grinned, trying not to flush. She knew the subject would appear sooner or later, but she had foolishly hoped for later."Yes."
"I heard how rocky it was for awhile there," Charlie went on, laying down his first move.
The redness appeared on her cheeks, trailing down her neck in noticeable splotches.
"Everything was very vague," he assured her with a smile. "Gin didn't say much, except that you two would work it out eventually. Just happy to see you did."
"Thank you," Hermione replied warily, feeling slightly foolish. Of course Charlie wouldn't want all the gory details.
Her eyes dipped upward for just a moment and almost drew away when she found Charlie staring very intently at her face.
"It was very hard, wasn't it?"
Hermione's eyes flew back down to her clasped hands. "Extremely," she whispered.
"Ron's not the most sensitive of blokes," he tried to lighten the mood so he could continue with his questions.
Hermione gurgled with gentle laughter. "Not at all." She felt a certain claim on him and looked at Charlie fully, old, familiar defense rushing down her back. She had become used to explaining Ron's impulsive behavior when they had been dating, engaged. The ancient compulsion to shield him from teasing came slowly and unsurely.
"But he's been very good to me, too," she told Charlie with wide, urgent eyes. "Considering all that's happened, I'm very lucky to have recovered when I did. I can talk, read, write, and soon…" she grinned, "walk. That's mostly because of him."
"I wasn't disputing that," Charlie assured her, laying down his next card. "He's a very talented potions master. He'd make an excellent Healer, no doubt about it."
"Why didn't he?" Hermione swallowed, playing the trivial game without really thinking. "Why didn't he go into the medical department when I left? I know that's what he really wanted and I know that he's more than qualified."
Charlie knew the answer before she had even finished asking it. It rested thick on his tongue, his jaw tightly shut. He was debating whether or not to reveal one of the very few secrets his brother had confessed to. It was very personal, but when he saw the worry and speculation in her eyes, he could not stop himself.
"Ron wanted to," he began, "and he earned his titles, too – managed to study even after you left. Mungos was already offering him a salary – a pretty hefty one, at that. He decided to go through with it – figured it might give him a fresh start.
"He ended up being accepted into their O.C. unit – Order Casualties – the one that takes all the Order agents that have been wounded in battle. He figured it would keep him close to the cause."
Charlie sighed and rubbed the back of his head.
"So he did practice –" Hermione's voice was awed.
"Let me finish," Charlie interrupted, laying down his whole deck in a sigh of defeat. "He was only there for a day – not even that. Poor kid was nervous and sick and scared. He just left before his shift was up. No one knew what his deal was. Practically had to force this out of him, but Ron said he would never face another patient until –" his voice trailed off.
Hermione waited for a while. She grew impatient when her question had not been fully answered. She felt the right to know what had happened to him – she knew so little to begin with. "Until what, Charlie?" she snapped.
"Until he heard any news of you," Charlie snapped back tiredly. "He said he wasn't going to practice until your body was found. He just couldn't handle the thought that one day he might walk into his wing and find you in one of those beds, dead or dying." Charlie leaned back in his seat, clearing his throat uncomfortably. "Of course, this was back when he still admitted he loved you. When he got bitter about it, he was too afraid that he would want to find you there."
Hermione reeled with the new information. She remembered the sleepy conversations she and Ron had, when the moonbeams were strewn across her unwashed pillow case, when Ron had spoken with grandeur about the gravity of helping people. He had always wanted to be a doctor of some sort, always wanted to fix things. She had always thought she would be there when he donned the blue Healers' robes, hear his first diagnosis. That had come and passed and she had been gone and it hurt.
Charlie shook his head, wanting to clear the air again. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean for this all to come out. He asked me not to repeat it to anyone. I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone else. I thought you should know, though. He really tried once you left, but he couldn't function. You were his everything."
Hermione felt terrible guilt settle in her chest. It was hard to breathe and Charlie's wan face wavered in front of her eyes. "I honestly didn't mean to, Charlie," her voice was raspy. "I had no idea."
"I know," Charlie assured her again, his eyes sad. He took her hand softly and then let it go. "All we can do is just move on. Ron holds his grudges pretty well, but he'll get over it. Maybe he'll even go back to St. Mungos after all this has passed. I doubt it very much, but I can still hope."
"Yes," Hermione agreed, pretending to be hopeful. "After all this is behind us. Maybe."
Charlie resumed his smile and his cards thoughtfully. He hadn't meant to reveal so much, but it felt good in some strange way. She knew now and that was all he could do. He looked forward to seeing them together again – their partnership was not disputable in the least.
"Are you ready to go?" Seamus' voice barked from the doorway. Hermione's head jerked up suddenly. "Well, are you?"
A/N: Did you like it?? I thought I would reveal some more of Ron's back story - shed some light on why he's so upset and angry. I went back to some previous chapters to make sure it all fits... but if you find something that contradicts another part, please let me know!! :)
And PS: I'm reading Eclipse now... the series is SO ADDICTING! I really like Jacob Black... I think it would be cooler to be a werewolf than a vampire, honestly. But I would rather date a vampire. Haha. :) Plus, I really like Jasper.
Leave me comments, questions, and critiques! And have a great rest of the week, everyone.
Katie