The next day, Hermione started packing her things to leave for Hogwarts. Ginny unfolded her legs and stood up from the bed to help her. They carefully tucked Hermione's clothes, books, quills, and other possessions in the small trunk, working side-by-side. No words were exchanged; what they felt was more than mere words could express. Ginny glanced over at her friend as she folded a pair of socks. Her hands did the work automatically without her mind needing to interfere.
"So, you're really going then?" Ginny asked casually, her tone light.
Hermione glanced up with a knowing smile. "Yes, I'm going. I need it. I think that a bit of normalcy will help me move on with my life. Even though it won't erase the past, at least it'll take my mind off it for a while. Besides, I heard that Luna and Neville are returning. I can't leave them all alone, now can I?" she asked teasingly. The warmth in her eyes shinned out brightly at Ginny, wrapping her in a blanket of sisterly comfort.
Even though Hermione had never had a brother or sister, she imagined that this was what it felt like. To know that you're not alone in this world, not matter what happens, is truly amazing, she thought contentedly. The Weasleys were no longer just her friends' family. They were her family. Perhaps in the future, she might finally receive the right to truly call Arthur and Molly her second parents. That is, if Ron ever came to his senses and asked her "The Big Question."
A knock on the door startled Hermione out of her musings, and she turned around to see who it was. The air whooshed out of her lungs as she saw the tall, dark-haired young man standing in the doorway.
"Harry!" she squealed, rushing over to her friend and throwing her arms around him ecstatically.
Hermione had not seen him for some time because he was staying at 13 Grimmauld place, trying to fix it up some more. Sirius's will had given the house to Harry to use as he wished. He was determined not to let the place go to waste and was currently renovating it to give to Hogwarts as a place for all the children who had no home to go back to during the summer break. He knew firsthand how it felt to return to a place that did not want him, and he had no wish for anyone else to have to have to experience that same feeling.
"Hey Hermione. It's good to see you," Harry said with a sincere smile, his eyes twinkling at his dear friend. Hermione finally stepped back from him and turned towards Ginny uncertainly. The younger girl stared at her old boyfriend, an unreadable expression on her face.
Harry licked his lips nervously before striding over to her and giving her a hug. Ginny wrapped her arms around him, feeling the warmth radiating from his skin. It felt good to be hugged, especially by Harry. Still, something did not feel right and she knew the problem lay with her.
"Harry," she breathed into his ear, a fierce longing rising in her for the bygone days when they would cuddle in front of the fire in the Gryffindor common room, a blanket lying over their laps.
Harry smiled to himself, relieved to see her more like her old self. Of course, she still had a long ways to go before she was whole, but it was a nice start.
"Ginny," he answered softly, breathing in the sweet scent of her honeysuckle scented shampoo. How he had missed her! It was like his heart had been ripped in two and the other half flung away with the winds. Now that they were together, nothing would ever take her away from him again—absolutely nothing.
Watching them, Hermione blinked away joyful tears. Her life was finally returning to normal. Her two best friends were back together, she was returning to Hogwarts, and Ron... Well, Ron was near her. That was enough for now. A familiar ache settled inside her chest as she thought about the gangly young man.
She loved him; there was no doubt about it anymore. At first, she had denied it with all her heart, saying that he was just a friend and would never care about her like that anyway. However, her feelings were too big to be contained now.
Oh, Ron. Why do you have to be so stubborn? she demanded silently, her fists clenching in an effort to restrain herself from pulling the ends of her hair out in frustration. The two had shared a few kisses, but ever since the Final Battle ended, interaction between them had settled down remarkably. Ron had gone back to treating her with a casual indifference, as if she was nothing more than a slightly distant friend of his.
Ginny pulled back from Harry's arms and gazed up into his face. Love and tenderness shone in his eyes behind his glasses. The two remained locked in their embrace, staring deep into each other's eyes. Ginny felt something shift unpleasantly inside of her as she studied his face. There was slight stubble on his firm chin from not shaving that morning. The ends of his untidy black hair swept across his forehead, and her fingers itched to brush them away.
I care for him so much, she realized. But I do not love him, and I don't know if I ever will anymore.
Harry saw her eyes darken and his heart clenched as she turned away. Ginny cleared her throat, reaching down to finish folding the socks. The curtain of red hair hid her face from his view, but he already knew what he would find there. The truth slapped him hard in the face, causing him to stumble back with wide eyes.
"Oh, Ginny. I've waited too long, haven't I?" he gasped, his arms hanging limply at his side.
