Thanks again for all the reviews! I'm glad to hear that everyone is enjoying the story so far. This chapter is a little shorter than the rest, but I'll make up for it…I promise. It's also my least favorite, but there is something that will come up in future chapters. See if you can figure it out.
I have to give all kinds of thanks to Jennifer, who has beta'd this for me since the very beginning when it was nothing more than a huge plot bunny.
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The following day should have made Hermione feel happy. She was going to watch her best friend play Quidditch, as well as see her good friend Ginny and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. However, that was not the case. Her initial elation at seeing Ginny was overcome with fear. Hermione was sure their conversation would turn to Harry, and she wasn't exactly sure how to handle that right now.
As Hermione waited at the Quidditch stadium for the Weasleys, she contemplated how to approach a conversation with Ginny. She was almost certain that Ginny would know Harry sent Ron a letter, since he was at the Burrow when he received it, but she wasn't sure exactly how much Ginny knew.
A thought occurred to her just then, a thought that hadn't crossed her mind before. Harry told her the night he left that he had been in love with her for two years. If that was true, it coincided with a period of time when Harry was dating Ginny. Suddenly, Hermione became flooded with a whole new set of emotions. Harry and Ginny both conceded that their break-up was mutual, but now Hermione couldn't help but think that she had something to do with it. This is going to be harder than I thought, she murmured under her breath.
"Hermione, dear, how wonderful to see you again!" The voice coming from behind Hermione shocked her, but upon turning around, she was delighted to see Mrs. Weasley, holding out her arms and smiling profusely. Mr. Weasley and Ginny stood behind her, as if they were embarrassed by her outburst.
"Hello, Mrs. Weasley, it is nice to see you again,too," Hermione replied, hugging her back. She then turned to Mr. Weasley and shook his hand while exchanging hellos.
Ginny stood next to her father, patiently waiting for her turn to greet Hermione. She missed not having her at Hogwarts to talk to the last year. She missed their talks when Ron and Harry were off at Quidditch practice, or when Hermione was at the Burrow during the summer. Hermione was like the sister she never had, really.
Hermione and Ginny looked at each other for a moment, not knowing what to say. Each knew what was on the other's mind, but decided now wasn't the time. Instead, they smiled and hugged, happy to see each other once again.
"So, Hermione, have you achieved peace throughout the wizarding world yet?" Ginny asked with a grin, anxiously awaiting her response.
"Not yet, but I'll be sure to give my favorite Daily Prophet reporter an exclusive when I do," Hermione replied, beginning to feel a little more at ease.
"Well, now that we're all reacquainted," Mrs. Weasley began, "I do hope you'll join us for dinner after Ron's match, Hermione. I'm sure you have plenty of catching up to do with Ron and Ginny, and I won't take 'no' for an answer."
Hermione considered turning her down for one brief moment, but then she spied the look on Ginny's face. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but she knew Ginny was dying to tell her something. From the look in her eyes, it was important.
"I'd be glad to, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione replied, noticing a smile come across Ginny's face.
The four of them began walking to their seats on the other side of the pitch. Hermione and Ginny trailed behind Mr. and Mrs. Weasley slightly, catching up on each other's lives over the last year. Both left out details they were sure would come up later.
As Hermione and Ginny reached the steps that led to their seats, Hermione broke the silence that had ensued after a particularly funny story involving Professor Snape and some bewitched mistletoe.
"Ginny, I have something really important to talk to you about. Now really isn't the time, but we really need to talk when we get back to the Burrow," Hermione said, noticing the look of understanding on Ginny's face.
"I know," Ginny replied, unable to think of anything witty to say. "Let's just try to keep our minds on Ron for now. He is the reason we're here, after all."
They sat down next to each other in their seats, ready to cheer on Ron. He is the reason we're here, Hermione thought, remembering Ginny's words. Almost immediately, the announcer introduced the team the Cannons would be playing: Puddlemere United. They were all young witches and wizards, all of whom couldn't be more than five years out of school. Hermione recognized Oliver Wood, a fellow Gryffindor who played Keeper for the House team when she first entered Hogwarts.
A few moments later, the Chudley Cannons were announced. They were quite different from the Puddlemere team in their appearance. Whereas Puddlemere was a very young team, the Cannons were much older, with the exception of Ron. In fact, Ron was easily the youngest player on the team. Hermione's eyes fell upon the Cannons' Seeker, who looked as if he would fall asleep if given the chance.
Hermione tried her hardest to keep her mind on the game once the balls were released, but it proved to be a difficult task. She was impressed at how well Ron was doing. Oliver Wood was a handful as well, and half an hour into the game, the score was tied 20-20.
The lack of scoring made it possible for Hermione's mind to wander, mostly at how to approach her discussion with Ginny at the Burrow. She wasn't worried, but she wanted to be truthful with Ginny. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt her feelings.
A few minutes later, a roar broke out in the crowd. The Puddlemere Seeker was going after the Snitch, which oddly enough was hovering about two feet above the Cannons' Seeker. The game stopped completely so the other players could watch, and the Cannons' players, including Ron, were trying to get their Seeker's attention in hopes it would lead to a victory. They finally got his attention, but by the time he looked up, his opponent was zooming by, the Golden Snitch grasped firmly in his hand.
Apparently, the Chudley Cannons lost many games in a similar fashion. By signing Ron as Keeper, they didn't lose as often, but when they did it was outrageous.
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The smell inside the Burrow let Hermione know she was home once again. The Weasleys were her family, simply because she was always welcome. The house was marinated with the aroma of roast and potatoes, as well as Mrs. Weasley's famous apple pie.
Dinner was an experience Hermione never thought possible at the Burrow. There were only five settings at the table, a result of changing lives. Mealtime discussion consisted of many different topics, including Hermione's job, life at Hogwarts after the "Wonder Trio," and the many woes of the Chudley Cannons. Hermione found it interesting that no one mentioned Harry's name directly, and wondered if Ron had told them to avoid that topic of conversation.
Silence fell over them as they finished eating. Ginny began glancing at Ron, then at Hermione.
"Hermione, would you mind helping me pick out an outfit for my first day at the Prophet? First impressions are important, you know," Ginny said lightly. She already had her outfit taken care of, but it seemed like a good way to excuse themselves from the table.
The two friends walked up to Ginny's room, which remained largely unchanged since Hermione first stepped in it seven years ago. It was somehow cozier now, but Hermione couldn't quite figure out why. Perhaps it was just clean.
Ginny led Hermione into her room and shut the door. The shy, quiet girl Hermione was friends with was gone. In front of her now was a bold seventeen-year-old, sitting in her desk chair backwards, arms leaning against the back of the chair.
"OK, Granger. Something is bothering you, so spill."
Hermione eyes became wide with shock and her mouth gaped open. The only people that ever called her by her last name were her professors and Draco Malfoy.
"I-I'm sure Ron told you about the letter he got from Harry yesterday," Hermione muttered, unsure of how to collect the thoughts in her head into words.
"Yeah, he did. And you're worried how I fit into all of this, aren't you?"
Hermione was now speechless. Clearly she had underestimated Ginny. She shook her head in awe, realizing Ginny knew more than she let on earlier.
"Hermione, I've been out of the picture for three years now," Ginny continued, slowly returning to the shy person Hermione remembered. "Harry and I had a good time while we were together, but we were together for all the wrong reasons. I was more interested in 'The Boy Who Lived' than I was Harry Potter, the person. And he was repressing feelings that were developing for you."
"Was that why you decided to break up, after realizing all of this?" Hermione asked, now able to find her voice.
"I wish it was that easy, but really it wasn't." Ginny thought back to the evening her and Harry broke up. The break-up was mutual, just as they told their friends, but both had agreed to stay quiet about the incident that would prove embarrassing for both. "Let's just say I realized he had feelings for you."
Hermione noticed Ginny's eyes dart towards the floor during her last sentence. Ginny was leaving something out. She watched as Ginny's face became beet red and began to fidget with the chair. Whatever Ginny was hiding, it was painful for her.
Hermione moved her chair from next to the bed over to where Ginny was sitting. The question had to be asked, for her peace of mind if nothing else.
"Ginny, do you still have feelings for Harry?" The words escaped Hermione sheepishly, not sure if she wanted to hear the answer.
"NO!" Ginny replied immediately, her head snapping up to look directly at Hermione. "Harry and I are friends now and nothing more. Colin and I are perfectly happy together."
"Colin? You mean Colin Creevey?" Hermione was again in some form of shock. She wasn't prepared for this, but it did change everything.
"Yes, Colin Creevey. We've been together since the beginning of our seventh year. We have a lot in common, not including Harry, and he'll be working at the Daily Prophet as a photographer. Once I got him to stop talking about Harry non-stop, we hit it off."
Ginny was now smiling from ear to ear. She sat up tall in her chair, no longer worried about the past. That part of her life was over. Now she needed to help Hermione with her future.
"He really does love you, Hermione. And judging by your actions, you love him, too. I'm just a piece of his life. You are his life. I could never compare to you, and I'm okay with that."
A single tear ran down Hermione's face as she pondered what Ginny said. He is my life, she thought.
Ginny stood up and gave Hermione a comforting hug.
"You and Harry are two of a kind, you know," Ginny began, as Hermione looked up to her, "You put the welfare of others ahead of yourselves. As much as it is appreciated, it's time you do something for you. Now let's go get a piece of that pie before Dad and Ron eat it all."
Hermione stood up and followed Ginny downstairs to the kitchen, feeling better about the whole situation. She wasn't quite sure now why she was so worried. Harry loved her, and she loved Harry. None of her friends questioned it, so why did she?
The overall tone during dessert was different from dinner. Hermione caught Ron sneaking a worried glance her way, but she smiled to calm his worries. The tension between her and Ginny was lightened as well, and they were now able to joke around and giggle like the teenage girls they were.
After more discussion following dessert, Hermione thanked the Weasleys once again for dinner. Ginny gave her a long hug, once more telling her not to worry about her non-existent feelings for Harry. As she reached the door, Ron stopped her and pulled her aside.
"I'll stop by after I get back from Harry's place. I'm sure he'll swear me to secrecy, but I can at least tell you what to expect, and what not to expect. Try not to worry, Hermione. The worst is behind you."
Hermione wrapped one arm around Ron's side and thanked him for everything. She figured he was the one who suggested she come for dinner. He was also the one who tipped off Ginny about her and Harry's relationship and how it would worry Hermione. For someone who annoyed her to no ends, Ron was making up for it now.