I fixed up this chapter. It was uploaded in a fit of 3am insanity, and was barely coherent. The fight is much more realistic and even if you read this chapter already, read it again if you don't want to hate my writing.
This chapter's a little longer than the first, and maybe you'll get a better idea of whose daughter the summary talks about. Their daughter had red hair, but laughed like him.
Reviews are like, the coolest things ever! And I do read and use the constructive criticism.
Chapter 3 will hopefully go up tonight!
And without further ado…chapter two!
The ceremony itself was quick and to the point. They received their diplomas and awards (she got best in all subjects, Harry got best troublemaker, and Ron was best Weasley). There was one thing she did remember, however.
It was a simple gesture: A high five and a phrase. For some reason, though, it lifted her spirits in a way nothing else could have. Harry said, "We're out, Hermione! We did it!"
***
The parties were a whirlwind of butter beer and something stronger. And then it was off to a flat in the middle of muggle London with her boys. They were young and impetuous and ready for anything. And they were legal. Oh summer would be fun.
It was. They spent the long, lazy days at the pool, in museums, anywhere they liked. Voldemort was gone; it was safe to be….alive. Their tans were impressive, the blonde streaks in her hair were brighter than ever, and Ron's freckles became so dark that everyone assumed they were flecks of dirt. They had never looked more beautiful, any of them, and they had never been closer.
Hermione and Harry, in particular, had grown almost inseparable. They took long walks and had long talks. They stared at each other during dinner and tried to hide their secret smiles when others were around. They had always been best friends, but now it almost seemed like they were something more.
The three graduates visited the burrow often. Mrs. Weasley fussed over them (Ron made faces and complained, Harry loved it, Hermione laughed); Mr. Weasley wanted to know everything about living in the muggle world (they brought him a flashlight once, he was delighted); and Ginny, couldn't take her eyes off Harry.
It was the last of these that worried Hermione. It was almost as if…no….it couldn't possibly be. He had broken up with her after sixth year. Ginny must be over him by now. She had to be. Yes. She was only curious about the now-apparent constant closeness. Or at least, Hermione could believe that until the 27th of July.
***
Mrs. Weasley had asked her to help with the cooking, as they were the only two not playing quidditch in the yard, she did, and somehow Ginny and Harry were alone for a few minutes.
She didn't know what happened between them, nor did she want to. All she did know was that, when they came home that night, Harry was glowing. He asked her to take a private walk, and once they were alone, he spilled his guts.
"I think I like Ginny," he told her quietly, beneath the starry sky.
"What?"
"I think I like Ginny, love her, maybe."
"No you…you can't!"
"Why, Hermione? Why can't I? It's not as if there's anyone else."
Oh that one stung. She visibly winced.
"Harry…I…"
"Hermione, honestly, what now?"
"It's just…sudden. You don't love her."
"Yeah I do, she's beautiful and smart and funny and I need her in my life, why don't you accept that?"
"Harry, are you sure you're all right? Did she maybe put a love potion on you? I mean you guys broke up…"
"But I loved her the whole time. I realized that today."
"You…you did?"
"Yeah…I could never care about anyone the way I care about her. Just like you can't care."
"Harry I don't understand!"
"HERMIONE I LOVE HER! PLEASE, WHY CAN'T YOU JUST ACCEPT THAT?"
"But…"
"The way you go on, it seems like you love me. But you don't, of course, we're just friends. Friends. We were playing a game."
"Game?"
She sobbed.
"Yeah…FRIENDS. WELL GO BE HAPPY WTH HER THEN! SEE IF I CARE!"
"FINE, I WILL!"
***
He did. And they were. Hermione never really recovered from that night. He didn't make a move toward reconciliation and neither did she. And so they didn't talk for seventeen years.
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