A/N: reposted 11/08/05 after a great beta job by Amber from Checkmated!
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Chapter 2: Things Left Unsaid
Ron found Hermione and Ginny in a compartment with Neville.
“Where’s Harry?” Hermione asked, beating Ginny to the question.
“Madam Pomfrey called after him. Said McGonagall would see him safely out of Hogwarts and that she needed him for something. I dunno,” Ron shrugged as he set his stuff up in the overhead bin and stood quietly debating whether to sit with Neville or squeeze in beside Hermione. He turned a light shade of red and dropped himself down next to Neville, the most obvious place to sit--and the less obvious place to sit.
The train ride back was quiet and cheerless. No one was running around showing off tricks or talking about their summer holiday plans. No one was handing out treats. No one was doing anything really.
Ron looked around awkwardly, his eyes settling on Hermione who was staring out the window with her chin on her fist. Even Hermione couldn’t find the strength to read during a time like this. Amazing, he thought. She must have felt her eyes on him because she glanced his way and smiled. He smiled back, a little awkwardly at getting caught looking at her.
“Are you going to stay with us Hermione? Until after the wedding?” Ron asked, finally breaking the dense silence.
“Yes actually. I am going to go visit mum and dad for a couple of days but I’ll be back to help your mum--she’s got so much to do! I am on Ginny’s dress detail,” Hermione nudged Ginny who really wasn’t in the mood and rolled her eyes.
“I could care less about wearing some dumb dress and being in this ridiculous wedding. I mean at a time like this? Come on!” Ginny huffed. Hermione looked stunned and apologized under her breath.
“No,” Ginny started, “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. I just…. I just don’t feel like talking right now.” Hermione nodded. Not another word was uttered until they met up with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley at the station.
*
Ginny Weasley found relief and sadness when she entered her room. She was grateful to be home where she felt safe but she had so much pent up inside her--so many things she was dying to let out. She began to unpack and waited for the knock on her door that she knew would eventually come. When it did, she called softly for the knocker to come in.
“All right, sis?” Ron smiled, hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels. “Care for a chat?”
“That would be nice.” She smiled softly and patted a spot on her bed where Ron obediently took a seat.
“What’s got you down? I mean besides the obvious….”
“Ron… Oh, it has to do with Harry. Are you sure you want to have this conversation?”
Ron didn’t move. He seemed to be fighting some inner battle over the subject. Finally he replied. “I don’t need like… you know, details. Just the general gist of things.”
Ginny nodded. “Harry said we shouldn’t see each other anymore,” she said and before she knew it she was crying slightly. Ron, stunned, just kind of put his hand up and patted her awkwardly on the back.
“I um…. I am sure he is just confused what with all the…”
“That’s just it,” she blustered, frustrated. “He isn’t confused! He said it like he knew all along it wouldn’t last. He said we couldn’t be together because You Know Who had already used me once just because I was your sister, and Harry couldn’t imagine what he’d do if he found out about … us. But that is shite because he knows You Know Who knows about you and Hermione but he’s never asked you two to leave him alone!
“He said he has to do things alone now, but you and Hermione--you’ll get to go! I know it!” Her sobs stopped as her sadness turned to anger. “I’m just Ron’s lil' sister. I was just a fun snog--sorry--" she added when Ron winced, "here and there. He knew I liked him and… and…”
“Ginny, I don’t think so. We had a very long discussion about you and his feelings for you which--believe me--was very uncomfortable, but he went out of his way to make sure that this you-and-him thing was OK with me. He even asked me to ask mum and dad if it was OK with them. I don’t think he would have done that for just a fun…. well you know like you said.”
Ginny’s face softened. “Really? Did you ask them about me and Harry?”
“I didn’t have to. I barely brought up the topic and mum was about ready to plan your wedding!” Ron laughed. “You know she loves Harry.”
“Yeah,” Ginny smiled.
“But he has got a lot on him now Gin, and if he didn’t care for you he wouldn’t care if you got hurt. He’s only trying to protect you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you--I’ve tried not to, mind you,” Ron shuddered, “ but he admires you for more than just your looks. Just stay positive, alright? You just don’t strike me as the type who cries over a guy.”
“Yeah you’re right! They cry over me, damn it!” Ginny said and began to smile. Ron rolled his eyes; glad she’d stopped crying. He just didn’t know what to do with crying females.
*
Ron was sitting outside kicking around a Muggle ball when he saw the car pull up. He watched as Hermione got out, hugged her mum and dad, and grabbed her things. He started towards them.
“Hi Hermione, Mr. and Mrs. Granger. Can I help you with anything?”
“Hello Ron,” Mr. Granger smiled, extending his hand. “Hermione, help with anything?”
“Yes, thanks. Back of the car there, the case,” she nodded to it, hands full.
“What? Did you bring all you own?” he scoffed as he eyed the full trunk.
“Practically,” Mrs. Granger laughed.
Before Hermione could retort, Mrs. Weasley bustled out of the old kitchen door to welcome her guests. “Oh, hello there,” she waved. “Thanks for letting Hermione come and help. She is always so pleasant and helpful! I don’t know what we’d do without her sometimes!”
“Well, thank you for taking her in for a bit,” Mrs. Granger replied politely. “We miss her but we know she loves being here with her friends and with the magic and everything.”
“Now,” Mrs. Weasley’s face turned serious, “she has told you about… recent events?” Mr. And Mrs. Granger nodded sullenly. “And you have, well I mean to say that--”
Mr. Granger cut her off. “We’re taking off on holiday. We’ve told no one where we are going, not even Hermione. She feels it’s best. We know they could come after us to get to her and the rest of you.”
“All right, then,” said Mrs. Weasley, nodding decisively. “We’ll take good care of her and keep her safe,” she said, putting an arm around Hermione’s shoulders.
“You always do,” Mrs. Granger replied. “Bye darling! Be careful, be safe,” she said and bent down to kiss her only daughter on the cheek.
Ron helped Hermione up to Ginny’s room with her bags. He opened the door to Ginny’s room, where a second bed had been laid out on what little floor was available. He smiled nervously. “So, uh, welcome back. Good to see you. Yeah.”
Hermione studied him quietly. “Ron, are you all right? You’re looking a bit pale.”
“I…. er... I’m exhausted. Been out there kicking that thing around. It’ll wear you out!”
“The football?” she smiled. “Yeah, I reckon so. Well, I’ll unpack and see you later then?”
“Er yeah…. OK.”
Hermione saw a puzzled look on Ron’s face. “Or you can stay and chat if you like.”
Ron stood, not knowing what to do. “Um, no… I’ll leave you to it, then,” he said and left, closing the door behind him. Hermione shrugged and began to set out some of her things.
*
‘Idiot!’ Ron thought to himself.
Why couldn’t he just tell her? Why couldn’t he tell her that stroking her hair as she’d cried on his shoulder at Dumbledore’s funeral had actually been one of the most wonderful, precious moments of his life? Why couldn’t he tell her that he fancied her? He was pretty sure she fancied him. But then why the knot in his stomach, the dryness in his mouth, and his inability to speak of his feelings?
He guessed it was because his feelings were genuine. With Lavender it had all just been about kissing, but this thing with Hermione, it had always been there hadn’t it? Since third or fourth year at least. This was silly.
He put his hand back on the knob, but then just bent forward, resting his forehead on the door. He must have been there for quite some time because the next thing he knew the doorknob turned under his hand. Without time to react, he was pitched off balance and nearly toppled over.
“Ron!” Hermione jumped back slightly as he caught his balance. “Are you… Is anything the matter?”
He just stared at her. Do it! he thought. He vaguely felt his body take over as he pushed her gently back into the room and closed the door behind them.
She looked utterly confused as he slipped his hands gently on each side of her head, weaving them through her hair, and bent his lips down to hers. It was a soft, simple kiss and it didn’t last long, but it was all that needed to be done.
He opened his eyes and gazed down into hers, brushing his nose lightly against hers. “I’ve been wanting to do that for quite some time now,” he said nervously and leaned back in to meet her waiting lips.
“Dinner!”
Nothing like Mum’s voice to ruin the mood, Ron thought with a laugh. They pulled slowly away, both of them smiling and blushing.
“We can talk about this later?” Hermione asked shyly.
“Yeah,” Ron smiled as he put his hand on the small of her back and opened the door, ushering her out.
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Chapter 2: Things Left Unsaid
Ron found Hermione and Ginny in a compartment with Neville.
“Where’s Harry?” Hermione asked, beating Ginny to the question.
“Madam Pomfrey called after him. Said McGonagall would see him safely out of Hogwarts and that she needed him for something. I dunno,” Ron shrugged as he set his stuff up in the overhead bin and stood quietly debating whether to sit with Neville or squeeze in beside Hermione. He turned a light shade of red and dropped himself down next to Neville, the most obvious place to sit--and the less obvious place to sit.
The train ride back was quiet and cheerless. No one was running around showing off tricks or talking about their summer holiday plans. No one was handing out treats. No one was doing anything really.
Ron looked around awkwardly, his eyes settling on Hermione who was staring out the window with her chin on her fist. Even Hermione couldn’t find the strength to read during a time like this. Amazing, he thought. She must have felt her eyes on him because she glanced his way and smiled. He smiled back, a little awkwardly at getting caught looking at her.
“Are you going to stay with us Hermione? Until after the wedding?” Ron asked, finally breaking the dense silence.
“Yes actually. I am going to go visit mum and dad for a couple of days but I’ll be back to help your mum--she’s got so much to do! I am on Ginny’s dress detail,” Hermione nudged Ginny who really wasn’t in the mood and rolled her eyes.
“I could care less about wearing some dumb dress and being in this ridiculous wedding. I mean at a time like this? Come on!” Ginny huffed. Hermione looked stunned and apologized under her breath.
“No,” Ginny started, “I’m sorry. It’s not your fault. I just…. I just don’t feel like talking right now.” Hermione nodded. Not another word was uttered until they met up with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley at the station.
*
Ginny Weasley found relief and sadness when she entered her room. She was grateful to be home where she felt safe but she had so much pent up inside her--so many things she was dying to let out. She began to unpack and waited for the knock on her door that she knew would eventually come. When it did, she called softly for the knocker to come in.
“All right, sis?” Ron smiled, hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels. “Care for a chat?”
“That would be nice.” She smiled softly and patted a spot on her bed where Ron obediently took a seat.
“What’s got you down? I mean besides the obvious….”
“Ron… Oh, it has to do with Harry. Are you sure you want to have this conversation?”
Ron didn’t move. He seemed to be fighting some inner battle over the subject. Finally he replied. “I don’t need like… you know, details. Just the general gist of things.”
Ginny nodded. “Harry said we shouldn’t see each other anymore,” she said and before she knew it she was crying slightly. Ron, stunned, just kind of put his hand up and patted her awkwardly on the back.
“I um…. I am sure he is just confused what with all the…”
“That’s just it,” she blustered, frustrated. “He isn’t confused! He said it like he knew all along it wouldn’t last. He said we couldn’t be together because You Know Who had already used me once just because I was your sister, and Harry couldn’t imagine what he’d do if he found out about … us. But that is shite because he knows You Know Who knows about you and Hermione but he’s never asked you two to leave him alone!
“He said he has to do things alone now, but you and Hermione--you’ll get to go! I know it!” Her sobs stopped as her sadness turned to anger. “I’m just Ron’s lil' sister. I was just a fun snog--sorry--" she added when Ron winced, "here and there. He knew I liked him and… and…”
“Ginny, I don’t think so. We had a very long discussion about you and his feelings for you which--believe me--was very uncomfortable, but he went out of his way to make sure that this you-and-him thing was OK with me. He even asked me to ask mum and dad if it was OK with them. I don’t think he would have done that for just a fun…. well you know like you said.”
Ginny’s face softened. “Really? Did you ask them about me and Harry?”
“I didn’t have to. I barely brought up the topic and mum was about ready to plan your wedding!” Ron laughed. “You know she loves Harry.”
“Yeah,” Ginny smiled.
“But he has got a lot on him now Gin, and if he didn’t care for you he wouldn’t care if you got hurt. He’s only trying to protect you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you--I’ve tried not to, mind you,” Ron shuddered, “ but he admires you for more than just your looks. Just stay positive, alright? You just don’t strike me as the type who cries over a guy.”
“Yeah you’re right! They cry over me, damn it!” Ginny said and began to smile. Ron rolled his eyes; glad she’d stopped crying. He just didn’t know what to do with crying females.
*
Ron was sitting outside kicking around a Muggle ball when he saw the car pull up. He watched as Hermione got out, hugged her mum and dad, and grabbed her things. He started towards them.
“Hi Hermione, Mr. and Mrs. Granger. Can I help you with anything?”
“Hello Ron,” Mr. Granger smiled, extending his hand. “Hermione, help with anything?”
“Yes, thanks. Back of the car there, the case,” she nodded to it, hands full.
“What? Did you bring all you own?” he scoffed as he eyed the full trunk.
“Practically,” Mrs. Granger laughed.
Before Hermione could retort, Mrs. Weasley bustled out of the old kitchen door to welcome her guests. “Oh, hello there,” she waved. “Thanks for letting Hermione come and help. She is always so pleasant and helpful! I don’t know what we’d do without her sometimes!”
“Well, thank you for taking her in for a bit,” Mrs. Granger replied politely. “We miss her but we know she loves being here with her friends and with the magic and everything.”
“Now,” Mrs. Weasley’s face turned serious, “she has told you about… recent events?” Mr. And Mrs. Granger nodded sullenly. “And you have, well I mean to say that--”
Mr. Granger cut her off. “We’re taking off on holiday. We’ve told no one where we are going, not even Hermione. She feels it’s best. We know they could come after us to get to her and the rest of you.”
“All right, then,” said Mrs. Weasley, nodding decisively. “We’ll take good care of her and keep her safe,” she said, putting an arm around Hermione’s shoulders.
“You always do,” Mrs. Granger replied. “Bye darling! Be careful, be safe,” she said and bent down to kiss her only daughter on the cheek.
Ron helped Hermione up to Ginny’s room with her bags. He opened the door to Ginny’s room, where a second bed had been laid out on what little floor was available. He smiled nervously. “So, uh, welcome back. Good to see you. Yeah.”
Hermione studied him quietly. “Ron, are you all right? You’re looking a bit pale.”
“I…. er... I’m exhausted. Been out there kicking that thing around. It’ll wear you out!”
“The football?” she smiled. “Yeah, I reckon so. Well, I’ll unpack and see you later then?”
“Er yeah…. OK.”
Hermione saw a puzzled look on Ron’s face. “Or you can stay and chat if you like.”
Ron stood, not knowing what to do. “Um, no… I’ll leave you to it, then,” he said and left, closing the door behind him. Hermione shrugged and began to set out some of her things.
*
‘Idiot!’ Ron thought to himself.
Why couldn’t he just tell her? Why couldn’t he tell her that stroking her hair as she’d cried on his shoulder at Dumbledore’s funeral had actually been one of the most wonderful, precious moments of his life? Why couldn’t he tell her that he fancied her? He was pretty sure she fancied him. But then why the knot in his stomach, the dryness in his mouth, and his inability to speak of his feelings?
He guessed it was because his feelings were genuine. With Lavender it had all just been about kissing, but this thing with Hermione, it had always been there hadn’t it? Since third or fourth year at least. This was silly.
He put his hand back on the knob, but then just bent forward, resting his forehead on the door. He must have been there for quite some time because the next thing he knew the doorknob turned under his hand. Without time to react, he was pitched off balance and nearly toppled over.
“Ron!” Hermione jumped back slightly as he caught his balance. “Are you… Is anything the matter?”
He just stared at her. Do it! he thought. He vaguely felt his body take over as he pushed her gently back into the room and closed the door behind them.
She looked utterly confused as he slipped his hands gently on each side of her head, weaving them through her hair, and bent his lips down to hers. It was a soft, simple kiss and it didn’t last long, but it was all that needed to be done.
He opened his eyes and gazed down into hers, brushing his nose lightly against hers. “I’ve been wanting to do that for quite some time now,” he said nervously and leaned back in to meet her waiting lips.
“Dinner!”
Nothing like Mum’s voice to ruin the mood, Ron thought with a laugh. They pulled slowly away, both of them smiling and blushing.
“We can talk about this later?” Hermione asked shyly.
“Yeah,” Ron smiled as he put his hand on the small of her back and opened the door, ushering her out.
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