I'm back! I hope you like this chapter. I own nothing.
Chapter 6
"Where did Ron go?" Mrs. Weasley asked Hermione as they made their way back to the house to give Harry and Ginny some alone time.
"I believe he went to go deliver a petition," she answered grinning as Mrs. Weasley stopped in her tracks.
"What? To who?" the mother of seven wondered.
"I'm not sure if I should tell you," Hermione teased as she walked into the house and took a seat at the kitchen table.
"Hermione Jean Granger, you had better stop teasing me and tell me," Molly demanded, placing her hands of her hip.
"Oh alright, but if I tell you, you need to pretend you do not know if he tells you."
"I've raised seven children, Hermione. I have the art of playing dumb down to an art," Mrs. Weasley informed her, smirking, causing Hermione to laugh.
"He's down the road," Hermione answered, recieving a wide grin from Ron's mom.
"Thank you, dear. Now if you will excuse me I need to send out a few owls to let people know that my only daughter is engaged to be married."
"Of course, I'll just be up in our room," Hermione replied, walking up the stairs and shutting the door behind. She never had time to herself anymore just to read, so she decided to take the down tine to read. As she was settling in, propped up in the corner of their window seat, and owl entered the opened window, leaving an envelope in Hermione's lap. Curious, she put her book down and opened the envelope, pulling out an elegant piece of parchment.
Dear Hermione,
I was beyond pleased when I recieve your letter last evening, saying that you would give me a chance to prove to you the I have changed. I knew that you would not hold grudges, unlike some women.
Since we are both going back to Hogwarts soon, I'm sure we are both going to need to make a trip to Diagon Alley. Hogwarts starts back in a week, so the sooner the better.
I was wondering if you would be willing to meet me for some ice cream while we are there. Please let me know with a reply soon.
Yours Truly,
Draco
Hermione stared at the letter, speechless. Did Draco Malfoy just ask me on a date? she thought, stunned. This is insane,Hermione thought, beginning to pace. She still couldn't believe that the Ministry was making them do this marriage law nonsense. She understood the fact they needed to repopulate the wizarding would, but there had to be a better way.
The flowers she had recieved from Charlie earlier in the day were sitting on her dresser, catching her eye. She walked over to smell them, smiling at the memory of Charlie's speech that morning. He understands I needed to get to know Draco too, doesn't he? she wondered, sighing loudly at all of the thoughts that were running through her head.
"A knut for your thoughts," a voice said from the doorway, startling Hermione.
"Oh hello George. You're home early," she greeted him, taking a seat on her bed.
He looked down at the pocket watch he carried and smirked. "Actually, its after five, Mione," he informed her.
"Really?" Hermione gasped, looking at her own clock. "Wow," was all she could say, not believing she had wasted an entire afternoon fretting over the marriage law.
"You lose track of time?" George asked, walking over and sitting across from Hermione on Ginny's bed.
"Yes, I believe I have," she replied, picking up the letter from Draco.
"Whats that?" he wondered, curiously.
"Its a letter from Mal-I mean Draco, asking me to meet him in Diagon Alley for ice cream one day before school begins next week," Hermione found herself telling George. She looked over at him, to gage his reaction and only say more curiosity.
"Well, are you going?" George asked.
"I'm thinking about it. How can I make and educated decision if all I know of Draco is from what he was like at school," she replied.
"You can't," George agreed.
"But what about Charlie? Do you think he will understand that I need to do this?" Hermione asked the twin that was across from her.
"Does it really matter what he thinks?" George asked, almost angrily. "You may have told him you would consider his petition, but you didn't accept it. He doesn't have any say in what you do," he added.
"You're right," Hermione agreed, standing up to grab a piece of parchment and a quill. "Thanks George," she said, hugging the twin tightly.
"Your welcome," he replied, his voice an octave lower then normal. Quickly clearing his throat, he stood. "I'll leave you to it then," he said, leaving her alone, as she began writing.
Dear Draco,
I'm glad that you were please with my response. I do not hold grudges, however I do only give second chances, never third.
I've already gotten the things I need for Hogwarts this year. However, I would be willing to meet you in Diagon Alley for a bit. Just let me know what day would be acceptable for you and I'll meet you.
Looking forward to seeing you,
Hermione
She re-read the letter twice before deciding it was alright. Hermione whistled for Austen, who arrived and nipped at her fingers, asking for a treat.
"Alright, you spoiled thing," she said affectionately. "Here's your treat. Now take this to Draco, please."
The bird flew off with the envelope, not really liking that his master was corresponding with that boy.
"Mione, mum says dinner's ready," George informed her, sticking his head into her room.
"Oh thanks," she replied as she flicked her want to put away her writing utensils.
"So did you write young Mr. Malfoy?" the twin asked as he offered her his arm.
"I did," she grinned, excepting his arm.
"Good for you. Not saying that I want you to be Hermione Malfoy, however you have the right to test the waters," George said as they walked down the stairs, arm in arm.
"Test the waters?" Hermione asked, laughing.
"Well, yes. He's a bad boy and as far as I know you've only been around good boys, like myself. Girls like bad boys sometimes," he replied, finding perfect logic at what he just said.
Hermione was laughing as they made their way into the kitchen where everyone was already sitting.
"Come on already," Fred said as his twin and Hermione took the two remaining seats between Charlie and Ginny.
"Hold your broomsticks," George retorted good natured at his brother.
"Where's Ron?" Ginny asked from her seat next to Harry and George. She was almost sitting in her fiancees' lap, but no one said a word.
"That's none of your concern, Ginevra. He is where he is and that's all you need to know," her mother replied, causing Hermione to snicker.
Charlie raised an eyebrow at her while spooning some potato's on his plate. He had never heard the brown haired girl snicker before and he found it highly amusing and terribly cute.
An owl swooped through the open window and landed in front of Hermione. Charlie put his fork down, irritated because he recognised the elegant bird from the other night.
Hermione untied the peice of parchment from the birds claw and gave it a small piece of chicken off of her plate. "Thank you," she told the bird who flew back outside. She opened it and read the contents.
Dear Hermione,
Thank you for you timely response. I understand what you said about believing in second chances, but no more. I feel the same way.
Would tomorrow be too early to meet for ice cream? Maybe at noon? I look forward to your response.
Yours,
Draco
Hermione smiled and folded the letter placing it safely in her jeans pocket. She looked up to take a sip of her pumpkin juice and saw that everyone was staring at her.
"Yes?" she asked, curious as to who would be the nosey one to ask.
"Well, do tell us what it said," Ginny said, causing Hermione to giggle. "What"? she asked, confused.
"Nothing," Hermione lied, trying to control the giggling that had invaded her body. "It was from Draco, asking me to ice cream tomorrow at noon in Diagon Alley."
Charlie folded his arms over his chest, clearly angry. Mrs. Weasley noticed and knew if he said anything negative about Hermione going to meet the Malfoy boy, that it would just push her further into Draco's arms.
"Well, that's lovely, dear," Mrs. Weasley gushed, eyeing Charlie. "It's nice that you will have the chance to get to know the boy so that you can make the best decision for you."
Charlie looked at his mother and raised an eyebrow, wondering if she had gone mad.
"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I was thinking the same thing," Hermione replied happily, as she took a bit of chicken. Charlie finally picked up his fork and began eating once more, understanding what his mother just did. He caught her eye and smiled, silently thanking her for keeping him from having to put his foot in his mouth.
The back door opened a few moments later, Ron stepping into the kitchen. His face was flushed and he wore a big goofy grin.
"Hello Ronald. We just sat down. Your plates right there," his mother greeted him.
"I'm not hungry," was his reply as he practically floated out of the dining room and up the stairs.
"Did Ron just say he's not hungry?" Ginny asked, shocked.
Hermione and Harry exchanged looks and nodded, excusing themselves from the table to go check on their best friend.
"Do you think she rejected him?" Harry asked Hermione as they took the stairs two at a time.
"No," Hermione replied as they started up the second pair of stairs. "Did you see the stupid grin that was plastered on his face?"
The door to the room the boys shared was opened, but Hermione still felt the need to knock.
"Ron, can we come in?" she asked, watching as the red head laid on his bed, smiling up at the ceiling.
"Of course. Come in," he replied happily.
Harry and Hermione took a seat on Harry's bed across from the very Luna like Ron.
"What happened,mate?" Harry wondered, worriedly.
"She said yes," Ron answered, ecstatically.
"What?" Hermione squeaked in total shock.
"Luna accepted my petition," he clarified happily, sitting up and looking at his best friends.
"Congratulations!" Harry exclaimed happily, standing and exchanging a hug with his best friend.
Hermione sat on the bed, speechless. She had no clue how this had happened. How was it that Ronald Weasley was engaged before her? Not wanting to upset the two beaming boys, she stood and hugged Ron.
"I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed. "I want to hear all about it, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. I need to send a letter off and I must go take a bath," Hermione explained as she ran out of the room and down the stairs. That didn't come out as smoothly as I would have liked, she thought as she got to the bottom of the stairs.
"Mione, are you alright?" Ginny asked from the dining room table, where the rest of the family was still eating.
Crap,Hermione thought.
"Oh yes,of course. I just need a little air," she replied as she raced out of the back door.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
"Excuse me," George replied a minute later as he stood to go check on Hermione. He knew she was upset and he desperately wanted to make sure she was okay.
"Its alright, little brother, I'll go check on her," Charlie said standing, patting George's shoulder.
"That's quite alright. You finish your pudding," the twin insisted, taking a few steps toward the back door.
"I do believe that it would be my responsibility now, wouldn't it?" the former dragon handler asked, smirking.
"She didn't accept your bloody petition. She basically said that she would think about it and if no one better comes along she might think of you," George practically roared at his brother, angrier then he had ever been.
"Sit down both of you. NOW!" Molly exclaimed sternly, causing both men to take their seats once again. "If she's upset, she doesn't need the two of you bickering in front of her," she continued as George and Charlie glared at one another. "Fred, you will go check on Hermione."
"Me? Why not Ginny?" the shocked twin wondered, looking over at his sister.
"Because I said so," their mother replied, using her most favorite reasoning in the world.
Fred sighed and pushed away from the table and headed out the back door. He already know where to look, because she always went to that tree when she needed to think. Or when she was upset. Or when she just needed to get out of the over crowded Burrow for a few minutes. I really wish she would have sent Ginny.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Hermione quickly wiped her tears when she heard someone approach. She hadn't meant to start crying. She hated it when she cried, it made her feel weak.
"Hey," a familiar voice greeted her.
"Hi," she replied, being careful not to look at him. She didn't want him to see her crying.
"Hermione, are you crying?" the twin asked, kneeling beside her in concern.
"No," a traitor squeak escaped from her mouth, causing her tears to escape more quickly.
"Whats wrong?" he asked, gently scooting closer to the tree so he could see her better.
"Its nothing...so stupid," she replied through the tears.
"If it were nothing, you wouldn't be crying so hard," he told her as she pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them, pulling herself into a ball.
Instinctively the twin put his arm around her and pulled her closer, letting Hermione cry herself out.
"Luna accepted Ron's petition," she finally replied after several moments.
"Oh," he replied, surprised. After a few more quite minutes he asked, "Do you still have feelings for him?"
Hermione laughed, shaking her head. "No."
"Then why do you seem so upset?" he wondered, still holding her tight.
"It's nothing, I'm just being silly," she replied.
"You can tell me. I won't judge you," he informed the young witch.
Maybe if I talk, it will help, she though looking up at the full, bright moon.
"It's kind of hard for me that they are both engaged," she admitted quietly. "I've always been the one leading the way, so to speak. I'm not use to being behind on anything. And I know that I could have already accepted Draco or Charlie's petition, but I barely know them. I want to at least have a sense of what the person is like before I promise to be with them for the rest of our lives. Is it so bad to want to be in love?"
The twin sat quietly, digusting every word she had said. He understood exactly what she was saying.
"Do you think less of me?" Hermione asked quietly, worried.
The twin placed his finger under her chin and gently turned her head towards him. "I could never think less of you," he confessed.
"Fred?" Hermione gasped, surprised that he was the twin who had come to comfort her.
"Yes?" he asked quietly, not taking his eyes off of her.
"It was you?" she asked stupidly, mentally cursing herself for asked such a stupid question.
He chuckled softly. "Yes, it was me. Who else would it be?" he teased.
Hermione smiled and realized that his arm was still securely wrapped around her. She blushed, not used to this type of affection.
"Thank you," she replied, turning to look him in the eye, not realizing that Fred's face was only an in from hers.
"You're welcome," he whispered and gently kissed her.
So, are you going to kill me? What did you think? Let me know. I'm so glad that NaNo is over. It was a great experience but I don't know if I will ever do it again. I was SO stressed. Please review. I'm almost finished with the next chapter, but I want some of your opinions to make it better. :) Happy reading.