Unofficial Portkey Archive

Harry threw the ball as hard as he could. It still hadn't hit the black target. Ron had asked Harry to show him a typical muggle fair. It so happened, that one was going on. He had nothing better to do. He had taken all the time hoe could. The woman who had once scheduled the hours had told him to go home. Everyone knew St.Mungo's was short on help these days. For her to say that, he must have been pushing it.

"Are you mad at the target or something?" Ron asked.

"I'm mad at myself. It helps sometimes," said Harry.

He paid the woman her money and collected the next set of balls. Ron took one from him and attempted too. He didn't feel better at all.

"I don't know but it's not helping. What do you think I did wrong?"

"You left," said Harry. "You shouldn't have."

"But that girl told me to leave. I can't intrude on someone's property like that. She looked freakishly like Hermione though."

"That's Hermione's older sister Olivia," said Harry.

They began walking around the park. They brushed past several people before they arrived at a bench.

"Harry, why didn't I know she had an older sister?"

"You've never asked. We've never really asked her questions about her life at home. I only know because of that summer I spent at her house."

Ron nodded. He remembered that time. He had been slightly jealous that his two friends would be spending time together without him. He feared a relationship between the two would develop and he would be left out. Luckily it hadn't. But still Harry knew more about her than he did.

"But back to the original question. Why wouldn't I leave her house?"

"Ron, you said she was obviously crying in the background. I would want to know what had caused it. She's usually rational about things. Even if she was upset most likely she would keep it to herself," said Harry in a frustrated tone

Here he was near the end of his rope with Ginny, and still giving Ron relationship advice.

"But I got her flowers. Mum says every girls like flowers," said Ron.

"Every girl is different. And we can wish as hard as we want to. Flowers will not fix any relationship problems. People do."

Ron seemed to be contemplating this thought. After a minute or two to digest it he turned his attention to Harry.

"I thought you said these fairs were fun," said Ron.

"They are. I just don't feel like celebrating anything."

"What did Ginny do?"

"Ginny didn't do anything. It was me that said something stupid."

"I've lived with her for longer than I'd like to admit. Tell me and I'll help you fix it."

"Ginny came over last night talking about how we don't communicate enough. She wanted me to talk, and so I did. Of course I exploded and told her that she wouldn't be number one in my life, at least not now."

Ron sighed.

"You really shouldn't have done that."

"I've figured that Ron. After I said that she had this vengeful look on her face. Sometimes I think I should just shut my mouth, and let her do all the talking."

"No, Harry, she's just funny like that. Do the math. She's the only girl that mum has, so of course she's spoiled. Besides that mum always puts her kids first. She's not going to want to hear what you told her."

It made perfect sense. That was how she felt.

"I'm not apologizing," said Harry finally. He did not dare to look at Ron's facial expression. "I love Ginny, but I don't regret what I said. I refuse to lie. I'm not going to drop everything to be with her."

"I never said that you did. I'm just asking you to see it through her eyes."

"And I do. I just hope it doesn't end our relationship."

Hermione had never though she would use household spells. She was ever thankful that Tonks had taught her briefly before she died. Her clothes animatedly flying from the drawers and folding themselves neatly into several suitcases.

"Olivia I am not reconsidering. If I'm going to make a decision, it can't be in this house. It has to be somewhere neutral."

"Neutral? You're probably going to over to Harry's house. That is nowhere near neutral. He practices magic you know."

"Olivia, Harry is not like that. He grew up in the muggle world. Sure he practices magic, but he would not pressure me into a decision. It's only a matter of time before they start."

"There's nothing tying you here. There is no leverage."

"Olivia my entire family lives her. That is more than enough. I just feel sorry for grandmother."

"Why? Do you think something's up?"

"Her mental health is what it used to be. She's still as sweet as ever, but I'm convinced that they've tried to convince her."

"I don't think they would," said Olivia. "You're thinking irrationally. Would you just stay her with me? Please. I need someone to distract me from your school work."

"No. The last thing you need is a distraction. Finish college and become the lawyer you've always wanted to be."

"Hermione stop worrying about books for a minute," Olivia admonished.

"I just don't want to be a bother to anyone," concluded Hermione. "I want you to call me, if anything should go wrong."

Olivia looked as if she were about to fight her sister a bit longer. She was worn however. Soon after Hermione had ceased crying she assumed a determined stance. As promised soon after her grandmother had woken she was prepared the breakfast of her choice. The sisters had spent time together and enjoyed it.

Soon after Olivia had changed out of her pajamas she was shocked to find her sister packing her bags away with magic. She held back her comment about how cool it looked.

"You don't look too good," Olivia pointed out.

"I'm not too good at wandless magic. Harry doesn't even have to use his wand."

Olivia nodded.

"Can I ask one question before you go?"

"Sure, I doubt I'll be gone for a while. I've never realized how many things I actually have."

Olivia held up her hand prompting Hermione to stop talking.

"You're going to live with Harry."

"Yes…" said Hermione. From that statement she worried about her sister.

She had already told Olivia that she was going to Grimmauld Place.

"You're living with Harry. And yet you kick your boyfriend out."

"Harry and Ron are completely different. Harry would understand. Ron I'm not exactly sure how he would react."

"You have feelings for Harry."

"I do not," said Hermione

She shot back those words immediately.

"In every conversation we seem to have Harry seems to be the star. I'm just wondering if perhaps you have feelings for him. It would be perfectly understandable. He is quite the looker."

"Olivia," shouted Hermione.

"Hermione," said Olivia standing her ground

Her arms were folded across her chest.

"I admit Harry is a sweet person, and he's not bad looking. But Harry and I are just friends. Besides if even a fraction of me wanted him, why would I be dating Ron?"

"You're not really," answered Olivia. "He never comes over to the house. I've never seen the two of you kiss. And I've never heard a recount of any of the dates you've been on."

"Olivia I'm not like you. I don't feel as if every aspect of my relationship with Ron has to be shared with you."

The truth was there were no memorable dates. The few she had been on had turned out disastrous. His disgusting eating habits irked her, and she would never dine at a restaurant with him again. The movies had been horrible as he talked through them wondering why magic couldn't solve all the problems. If neither of those occurred he always managed to fish out comments that made her want to tear her hair out.

"So you've come to apologize?" asked Ginny.

She stood on the other side of her bedroom door. She was dressed in her robe and curlers still in her hair. Despite Ron's protest to let everything lie as it was, he ventured towards her room. He had been in there quite a few times in here.

Harry didn't know what the outcome of this conversation would be. He silently prayed for a good outcome. Ginny was excellent at guilt, and her stare was not helping him at all.

"No, but I wanted to talk."

Harry could see the disappointment wipe across her face, but nonetheless she held the door open for him to step in.

"What more do you have to say?"

"Plenty," said Harry.

He tried a light grin but she wouldn't smile. She sat down on her bed and stared up at him waiting for whatever he had to say. He was speechless. Maybe Ron was right. Maybe he should think before he talked to her. Last time spontaneity had not worked in his favor.

"Well…..." asked Ginny.

"Gin, you're very important in my life. As I said you'll never be my number one priority. There are other things that we have to think about in our lives besides our relationship. I still want to continue dating you."

"And you are important in my life, Harry. That's why I've thought about it."

Harry grinned.

"And what did you decide?"

"I think this is the end of our relationship."

Ginny was breaking up with him? He didn't understand. It was a brief fight that had started two days ago. Had this led to the end?

"What are you talking about?"

"It's over, Harry. We've been trying to fight it forever. There's no use. We just couldn't make it work."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I've been trying as hard as I can."

"And you shouldn't have to. I know I've damn well tried to hold on to you. But I can't take this."

"If it's about all those other women that keep on bothering you…"

"It's not about that. I can handle them," interrupted Ginny. "My mum gave me tough skin, but I will never be as book smart as Hermione. I deserve respect, and I'd honestly prefer if your attention was on me. I think it's just time to let go."

"Hermione shouldn't be a factor in our relationship."

"You're right she shouldn't," said Ginny. "But I can never change the fact that she is. I'm not that upset about it, so don't worry."

"You know that I will," sighed Harry. "Are we still friends?"

"I have no idea," said Ginny. "We can try though."

Harry was a bit relieved, but a part of him still bothered. She had joined those that believed that he and Hermione had a secret attraction. There was nothing wrong with Hermione. In fact she had some endearing qualities

Endearing?

And here was where the guilt came in.

Maybe he did have feelings for Hermione.

The minute the sentence entered his mind, he groaned.

-->