Chapter 4 - Decisions Made
Another week later…
Since Hermione had announced her job offers, Harry was rarely found in the house. He was usually out right before breakfast and back after dinner. He would go straight to his bedroom without really talking to his other best friends.
Ron didn't mind much because his training started out that week already so he was usually out of the house as well. Although he did find time to talk to Hermione before leaving and after arriving from practice. He got to talk to Harry as well during their brief encounters in the kitchen before Harry left in the morning. Ron didn't ask what Harry was doing or where he was going. He figured that Harry wanted space and time to think about how he felt about Hermione's job. Their brief encounters were composed of mostly, "Morning, mate. Slept well?" and ended in "See you later."
Hermione was suffering from Harry's seemingly cold indifference to her. She really didn't quite understand why Harry suddenly refrained from talking to her. Well, he did talk to her, but it was not the usual conversation she had with him. Whenever she tried to discuss her job prospects with him, he would suddenly skirt around the conversation or simply get up and say he was tired. He was the one who told her to take the Transfiguration post at Hogwarts. So why was it that he was acting like he doesn't even care about the whole thing? He told them that he wanted to spend time with them for the meantime and it was frustrating Hermione because it wasn't happening as she expected it to be.
Hermione was able to catch Ron that Friday morning before he went to practice, a week after she announced her job offers from Professor McGonagall and the Ministry of Magic. She entered the kitchen to find Ron rummaging around the refrigerator.
"Hey, Ron. Good morning," she said as she sat down on one of the chairs.
"Morning, Hermione!" greeted Ron enthusiastically as he got out a jug of milk, a loaf of bread, slices of ham with lettuce and tomatoes in his arms. How he managed to carry everything, Hermione couldn't fathom. He placed them on the table and asked Hermione, "Want some?"
Hermione nodded. "Ok. But just make me a smaller version of yours." Ron grinned and proceeded to make the sandwiches.
After Ron gave Hermione her sandwich, she asked, "Where's Harry?"
Ron swallowed first before answering, "He went out about a couple of minutes before you came down."
Hermione nodded sadly. "Is he avoiding me, Ron?" she asked quietly, suddenly without appetite for her sandwich.
Ron looked at his other best friend closely. He noticed that she had dark circles under her eyes and her skin had that unhealthy, unnatural color. Her eyes were a bit red-rimmed as if she had just been crying. He remembered seeing her like this when she was worrying for their O.W.Ls and during their 7th year at Hogwarts right before the Final Battle. Then, she was worrying about Harry facing Voldemort so much.
"I don't think so, Hermione," he answered carefully. "I think that he just needs his - erm - space at the moment."
"Space from what?"
Ron wanted very much to say "From you" but didn't have the heart to do so. So he just shrugged and continued on eating his sandwich.
Hermione sighed and played with her sandwich. After a while, she stood up without having even taken a bite and walked towards the door. Before turning to really go, she told Ron, "I'm just going to take the Transfiguration post then, Ron. I think that would do me good, wouldn't it?"
"Whatever you want, Hermione. I'll just be behind you, you know that."
Hermione nodded once, smiled briefly and walked towards the stairs to go back to her room. Ron continued on eating his sandwich, mulling over the things that had been happening between his best friends for the past week.
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That night, surprisingly, Harry went home to find both of his best friends at the kitchen table, having dinner prepared by Dobby. Ron was the first one to see him and exclaimed, "Harry! Good to see you home early tonight, mate. Come and join us for dinner." Dobby immediately went on preparing additional cutlery on the table and more food for Harry.
Hermione stiffened at the mention of Harry's name. Her back was turned towards the door so she didn't see Harry coming in. Harry smiled briefly at Ron and proceeded to sit at the head of the table. He didn't even cast a glance towards Hermione.
"I have news for you," started Harry. Ron looked up from his eating while Hermione continued on looking down at her plate. "I already decided to take the Auror post at the Ministry. I went to the Ministry a couple of days ago to accept their offer. I've been going to them for the last days to get my badge and undergo several procedures before I become a fully pledged Auror."
Silence greeted his announcement. Then slowly, Ron grinned, stood up and clapped him on the back. "That's - well - that's great news, mate. I knew you were still going to take it. You should have told us though that that was what you were doing for the past week."
Hermione simply smiled at him, although a bit forced, and said, "That's good news, Harry. I'm glad you finally decided on taking it up."
"I thought of taking it now since both of you are going to be busy already. I have to keep myself busy as well, you know," said Harry, not quite meeting Hermione's eyes. "With both of you now gone," he added softly.
"We're not really going to be gone, Harry. But it's good you accepted the offer," said Hermione quietly, looking back down at her plate. "I decided to take up the Transfiguration post at Hogwarts as well, as you suggested." She waited for Harry to speak up but nothing came. When she looked up, she noticed Harry looking at anything but her. Ron was looking back and forth between her and Harry.
The tension between Hermione and Harry increased another bit and Ron was beginning to feel uncomfortable. This is getting ridiculous! These two need to talk. And I mean really talk. And soon!
The silence was unnerving him. He cleared his throat and said, "Well, since all of us have now decided on what to do with our lives, I think this calls for a celebration, right? Dobby?"
"Yes, Mister Wheezy, sir?" asked Dobby, appearing instantly.
"No, Ron. I think I would head up to bed early today. I have to go to the Ministry early tomorrow morning to meet Auror Anderson," cut Harry, as he pushed his chair away from the table. Hermione, meanwhile, didn't say anything.
"Good night, both of you." And with that, Harry walked out of the kitchen. Hermione and Ron could hear his padded footsteps up the stairs and the quiet closing of his bedroom door.
After a while, Hermione stood up as well and bid Ron good night. Ron sighed and continued on his dinner alone.
"Is Mister Wheezy needing Dobby for anything, sir?" the house-elf asked.
"No, Dobby. Er - carry on with what you were doing before I summoned you here," replied Ron.
Dobby vanished with a crack and Ron ate his dinner alone in silence.
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Sunday Morning…
Hermione decided to get out of the house. She was feeling a bit claustrophobic already from being inside Grimmauld all the time. Both Harry and Ron were at home that same moment and were probably in the living room playing chess. Harry didn't have to start his work until another week or so and Ron had a break from his training. Hermione owled Professor McGonagall already about her decision and the Headmistress was excited about it. She was excited about it as well, but couldn't be entirely happy since Harry still wouldn't speak to her with regards to the job.
Harry still wasn't really talking with Hermione other than the occasional "Good morning" and "Good night" as well as the "Pass the salt, please" during eating time. He talked to her also when they passed each other in the hallway or when they would catch each other in the living room but it lacked the usual vibrancy that their conversations held before Harry went into his cold demeanor. Hermione, tired of the whole set-up, decided to get some fresh air and walk around London or go visit Ginny at The Burrow.
She quickly got her coat from the coat rack by the front door, hollered at the boys that she was just going out for a while and walked down the front porch towards the streets of London. Before walking any farther, she quickly checked her purse if she had any money, several Sickles along with some Muggle pounds, and if her wand was in her wand holster by her right arm, hidden by her long sleeves and coat.
She walked slowly, not really aiming for anywhere. She just wanted to clear her mind and get out for a bit. She wanted to understand why Harry was being that way to her when it was he who suggested, no - forced her to take up the post at Hogwarts.
Sure, she loved the idea of teaching the younger students at Hogwarts and imparting her knowledge to them. It was her dream to be a teacher, and Harry knew that. When she told him that during their Horcrux-hunting days, he was very supportive of the idea and even promised her that she would have that right after he faced Voldemort, with or without him. And now - why was he suddenly sort of upset with it?
She understood that he didn't want her pitying him. But she also didn't want to leave him all alone at Grimmauld especially with Ron now being gone for days on end because of being with Puddlemere. He told her that he didn't want to take up the Auror post when he received the invitation. He wanted to spend some time alone with himself or with them. But now, she was pretty sure he accepted the offer because of her. This time, it was because of her that he had made that decision. It was like before when she gave up her time because of him.
She hugged her coat tighter around her as she walked. Sure, it was a very nice summer morning but Hermione still felt chilled.
She knew in her heart that she cared far more for Harry than Ron and Ron knew this. He confronted her before when they broke up asking if she might be harboring feelings for their other best friend. She shook her head "no", but explained that she cared for him so much and so deep especially then when the looming threat of Voldemort was still upon them. Ron simply nodded.
Sighing, she decided to stop by The Burrow as she walked upon an empty alleyway. All these thoughts about Harry, his job and hers were giving her a headache. Quickly, she walked towards the alleyway, looked left, right, up and down and when she saw that no one was around, Disapparated as quietly as she could for The Burrow. She thought she could use some girl-talk with Ginny if she was home.
Arriving at The Burrow, Hermione noticed that it was a bit quiet. Worried that she might have gotten there with the Weasleys not at home, she walked towards the front door softly and knocked thrice.
"Coming!" a shrill girl's voice answered from upstairs. Hermione presumed it was Ginny. "Who's there?"
"It's Hermione, Ginny."
Ginny opened up the door and squealed upon seeing Hermione. She hugged her tightly in one of her signature Weasley hugs. Hermione noticed Luna standing behind Ginny, smiling serenely. She hugged Ginny back and smiled at Luna. "Hey, Luna. Never thought you'd be here," she said as she was released by Ginny and led inside the house.
"Dad is out on an expedition. He didn't want me to come, so I came here for the weekend. I've been here since Friday," Luna explained.
"Where's Molly?"
"Oh, out with Dad. It's just me and Luna. So what brings you here, Hermione?"
Hermione shrugged as the girls sat down on the living room and got comfortable. "I just want to get away from the boys for a while. You know, get away from the usual guy-speak I hear inside the house."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," sympathized Ginny. "What with growing up with six brothers, it's a nightmare to always wake up with `guy-speak' as you put it."
Hermione and Luna chuckled. "Well, it's not really a nightmare, but yeah - it could be tiring sometimes."
Ginny got up and went to the kitchen to bring out snacks for them to munch on. Luna stared at Hermione placidly. After a few seconds of silence, Luna spoke up, "Something is bothering you, Hermione." She said it so matter-of-factly that Hermione immediately looked up towards her in incredulity.
"You are quite confused and you seem to not be getting answers to the questions you are asking," she continued. "You need to look deep within you, Hermione. The answer lies within your very heart and soul. You just need to stop thinking too much about it and instead, listen to whatever it has to say."
Hermione gaped at her as she spoke this. Luna was looking at her directly, her big silver-grey eyes not wavering from her. She was considered barmy back when they were at Hogwarts but the Trio grew fond of her following their fifth year, starting with Harry. Sure, she could be eccentric sometimes, well - most of the time, actually - but they had come to know that she frequently saw clearer than "normal" people. Harry took her word seriously before when she told him things before The Final Battle took place and Hermione knew that she means to Harry and if she's not mistaken, a lot more to Ron.
So Hermione simply shook her head and looked down once more, not really wanting to process what Luna just said to her and thanking Merlin that Ginny chose to arrive at that moment with snacks to save her from the awkward moment she had with Luna.
The girls continued on talking well into lunch time. Luna offered to take the dishes that they ate upon to the kitchen and to check out if Mrs. Weasley left something for them for lunch.
Hermione then remembered their encounter with Draco during Graduation and decided that now would be a convenient time to bring up the topic with Ginny. She faced the younger woman and said, quite bluntly, "So, Ginny. Is there something about Draco that you wish to tell me?"
Ginny, who had her back towards Hermione while picking up the magazines they were browsing just a little while ago, stiffened suddenly at Hermione's question. Slowly, she turned around to face Hermione and smiled slowly. "What are you talking about, Hermione?" she asked carefully.
Hermione shrugged. "Oh, it's just that I saw how you treated each other at Graduation and I thought there was something else there that I need to know. If there isn't, then it's my fault for jumping to conclusions and I'm sorry." She looked at Ginny straight in the eye as she said this.
Ginny sighed and plopped down beside Hermione on the couch, leaving the magazines strewn on the floor. She leaned her head back, closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Promise you won't go ballistic on me?" she asked. Hermione placed her hand on the younger woman's shoulder to assure her.
"Ok. It all started when Draco returned to Hogwarts and I stopped pining away for Harry. I was all alone at the library, researching and studying for my Potions assignment when he came in, apparently looking for some reading materials as well. You must understand that I didn't greet him at all but simply ignored him. He ignored me for quite a while as well but I didn't expect him to come to my table, look over my work and comment on certain things that I was having trouble with," explained Ginny. She sighed once more as she remembered their first encounter.
Hermione remained silent, knowing that there was more to come from Ginny. "It started there. He was really good at Potions, Hermione and you know that that is not my best subject. He helped me throughout the rest of the year when he wasn't doing things for Harry and it escalated from there. Eventually, when I think we both realized that we were already falling, I told him that whatever was happening between us wasn't right and left it at that. That was before the Final Battle. I never saw him until a couple of weeks later, which was during Graduation," she finished.
"I presume your brother and Harry don't know all of this?" asked Hermione softly.
Ginny shook her head. "You know Ron, `Mione. He would blow up the moment he knows that his younger sister is in a relationship with a Malfoy. Although I'm not saying I already am in a relationship with him. Harry might understand but letting him know means I might as well tell my brother about it."
"Do your parents know about this?"
"No. I don't think they would be happy as well. Oh, Hermione. Everything seems so complicated now. If people told me before that I would fall for a Malfoy, I would have laughed at their faces, but now…" she trailed.
Hermione took a deep breath and pulled Ginny into a hug. "I can't say I am entirely ecstatic with the whole Draco situation, but I can understand what you are going through and I am not going to blame you for what you are feeling for him. It's your choice. The only thing I can do now is try and support you."
Ginny nodded and whispered, "Thanks."
"But I wouldn't be held responsible for what your brother might do!" Hermione warned, pulling away from the hug.
Ginny grinned and said, "But maybe you could at least try to keep him at bay?"
Hermione grinned as well. "Ok, but I'm not really promising."
At that precise moment, Luna came back and announced that Molly had left them with something for lunch and that she already prepared it. It's by the kitchen and could they all come now and eat? She was already starving.
Hermione smirked and thought that Ron might have really finally found his match.
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(A/N: Again, thanks so much to Lady Starlight, for the wonderful work she made here. Mwah!)
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