Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Hello all! This chapter is one many of you have been waiting for… the introduction of Ron and Ginny! Now, it took me a lot of time to decide if they would like Hermione at first or not, but I think my final decision is acceptable. Hopefully, you like it, too. A big thanks to my beta, Vincent, who helped me clear up the Floo scene. And to all of you, of course, for being the best readers/reviewers any author could ask for.

Get exclusive sneak peeks and a look into my insane mind: http://savingpeoplething.tumblr.com
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Disclaimer: Harry Potter and Jessica's Guide are both amazing stories that are regrettably not mine. At least, last time I checked.

Enjoy!

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Sink or Swim

"Caught in the middle of a crossfire
Lost my balance on a high wire
Trying to figure out what to do

Kamikaze airplanes in the sky
Are we going down or will we fly?
This could be a shipwreck on the shore
Or we could sail away forevermore
This time it's sink or swim, sink or swim"
- Tyrone Wells (Sink or Swim)

We were scheduled to leave at two in the afternoon for Grimmauld Place. Winter break had just started and both Harry and I were eager to get out of this house and into the Wizarding World. For different reasons, perhaps, but it all lead to the same destination. The previous weekend, I had made a trip to downtown London with my parents and Harry to purchase presents for friends and family. Since I had already picked out Harry's gift weeks ago, I had no hesitation about him coming along. Plus, he wasn't bad company, either.

When we entered a local sweet shop for some sugar-free candies to fill the little containers around the house, Harry insisted on trying everything in the store. He had never tried Muggle candies before. At first, I told him to only pick a few things out. But, of course, he ignored me completely and bought one of everything in the store. Literally. He mentioned offhandedly that his friend Ron would be ten times worse than he if he were in the same store. That provoked me to buy some imported sweets in the corner as a gift for the redhead. I wanted to get something for his other friend, Ginny, as well, but I had no idea what she liked. Then I remembered that all women had one thing in common when it came to candy and made a beeline for the chocolate section. I bought Ginny a gift basket filled with an assortment of chocolates and called it a day after that. Hopefully, I wouldn't regret my last-minute purchase.

I didn't tell Harry of my impulse buys, thinking he would ruin my fun and tell his friends about it. I wanted to warm up to them my own way. And if that didn't work, the presents should do it. Not that I was desperate for approval or anything, but I couldn't help but feel intimidated by them. Ever since I saw that picture in Harry's room his first night here, I knew that I would never measure up to them. They had years of memories with him while I had only four months worth. I hoped beyond hope that they would accept me as more than a stubborn Muggleborn know-it-all that stole their best friend away.

Now, a week later, I was as ready as I would ever be for my trip to Grimmauld. I dedicated this morning to wrapping my gifts atop my bed since I had already packed last night. I had placed my parent's gifts under the tree, since they elected not to come with us. I would miss them dearly on Christmas morning, but knew that this Christmas would be one to remember despite their absence.

I had just finished wrapping Harry's present moments before he knocked on my door.

"Come in." I said, finishing tying the bow atop the metallic wrapping paper.

My door opened and I saw Harry in all of his mid-afternoon glory. He looked especially put together today with his emerald jumper and dark slacks. "Hello, Hermione."

"Harry." I nodded in greeting.

He looked down at the gift in my hands and smiled. "Is that for me?"

"Perhaps." I answered coyly. "But you can't open it until Christmas."

He looked put out, but only for a moment. I had already packed Ron and Ginny's gifts safely away in my bag, each shrunk with a handy shrinking charm. I performed the same incantation with Harry's gift and tucked it away in my bag safe and sound.

"I take it you're ready to go, then?" He asked with an amused expression.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I answered honestly.

He nodded. "Alright then, erm, your parents are waiting downstairs to see us off."

"Tell them I'll be right down."

He did an odd sort of bow-thing and left the doorway. I shook my head and ignored it for the time being. Getting off my bed, I grabbed for my bag on the floor and took inventory to make sure I had packed everything. I only had one bag filled to the brim with shrunken clothing, homework, and, oddly enough, my old sketch pad. Something inside me told me to bring it. I couldn't quite place what that something was just yet, but I followed it.

I shut the door behind me as I exited my room. When I walked down the stairs, I heard the blur of voices conversing before I could even distinguish who was talking. But, seeing as Harry told me my parents were waiting to see us off, I had a faint idea. I reached the bottom and saw Harry and my dad in a heated conversation while my mum watched with a smile on her face. She was the first to see me enter the living room and I barely had time to drop my bag before she enveloped me in a tight embrace.

"I'm going to miss you so much!" She said fervently as she began to sway.

I moved along with her and patted her back consolingly. "You can always come with us, mum."

She sniffed. "I know. But your fa-"

I heard someone clearing their throat behind her, cutting my mum off from whatever she was about to say. I tried to nonchalantly lean to the side to see who it was, but she shifted and blocked my view. She resumed talking with a strained voice and began to pull back slowly, as if committing this moment to memory. "Your first extended trip to the magical world should be special. If we were there, it would ruin the experience."

"I wouldn't say ruin." I encouraged.

She held me out at arm's length and gave me a sad smile. "You're sweet, honey. We've just… never been apart for a holiday… ever… and… and…"

Her stuttering soon turned into tears. She let out a loud sob and pulled me to her once more. I couldn't help but giggle despite myself. Over her shoulder, I saw my dad and Harry sporting similar reactions. I took the situation into my own hands after about a minute of my mother sobbing into my shoulder and pushed her back so that I could see her tear-stained eyes.

"I love you, mum, you know I do. I'll write to you every day if that's what you want."

My mum's face visibly brightened and she began to nod vigorously. "Yes, yes. That would be wonderful."

I smiled brightly, glad I had put her at ease. "Then I'll do it. One letter every day, alright? You don't even have to write back. I know how busy your schedule is since you're the only practice that is open this close to Christmas."

"Oh, don't be silly, of course I'll - I mean, we'll - write back!" She said, wiping away the tears from her eyes and cheeks.

"Gods, mum." I said softly, trying to hold in my own set of tears. "Just promise me you'll stop by Christmas day. Harry said Mrs. Weasley is cooking a humongous supper."

"Molly is cooking?" I heard my dad ask excitedly. I looked over at him and nodded. "Fantastic! We'll be there, sweetheart!"

"Great!" I exclaimed, looking back at my mother. "See mum? You'll see me before you know it."

She nodded with a smile that seemed forced. But the fact that she was making an effort was enough to make me return the gesture. I pulled her into another hug, this one very brief. After I pulled away, I walked over to my dad and pulled him into a long embrace.

"I'll miss you, dad." I said as I pulled away.

"I'll miss you, too, pumpkin." He said, kissing my cheek.

I walked back over near my mum and grabbed my bag, careful not to get to close so that she could pull me into another hug. I loved her, but I would hate to be late to Grimmauld. Plus, I feared that if she burst into tears once more, it would cause a similar reaction in me and I would never leave.

Harry took the hint that I wanted to head out and shook my dad's hand. He was just about to pass my mum when she made a grab for him and pulled her into her arms for a bear hug. I had to hold in my laughter when I saw the look on his face. It looked as though his eyes were about to bug out of their sockets. I put my hand over my mouth and giggled into it when she rocked him back and forth.

"Jane, sweetie, let Harry go. His face is turning purple." My dad said in a smooth voice, even though his face was going red with amusement.

Harry's face wasn't really turning purple, but it was enough to get her to pull back. A mother's instincts, perhaps - she didn't want to cause harm to any of her children. Since the moment Harry walked through our door, she treated him like her own son, so it was a very effective method.

"I'm sorry, Harry." She said meekly as my dad pulled her to him, holding her around the shoulders. It had the appearance of a tender gesture, but it was really to hold her back if she tried to tackle Harry or I again.

"S'alright, Jane." Harry said, rubbing his back discreetly. I smiled at the movement, remembering the massages we had given each other recently. His hands on my shoulders and lower back were like heaven…

"We'll see you on Christmas." My dad said.

"Y-yes." My mom said with a nod. "Christmas."

"Bye mum, by dad." I said as I turned to go towards the kitchen.

"Jane, Edward." Harry said quickly after, following me out.

"Goodbye Hermione! Harry!" I heard my mum shout. "DON'T FORGET TO WRITE!"

"Jane." My dad chastised.

I snickered to myself. I didn't hear her response to that, but I knew that it would have been something equally as amusing. I led Harry to his loft where we would be using the Floo Network. When I asked if there was another option other than jumping into the foreboding green flames, he said no. He didn't feel like apparating. Oh, he had gotten quite a mouthful from me. But when he mentioned that most people vomit the first time they apparate, I kept my mouth shut and agreed that the Floo Network was the best choice.

Harry started a small fire in the fireplace with a quick Incendio. He waited until the flames were of acceptable height before turning back to me and beginning to speak.

"You see that urn there?" He asked, pointing to a decorative vase atop the mantle of the fireplace.

"Yes."

"Take some of the powder from it."

I gave him an odd look. I hadn't seen him start the floo when we contacted Sirius and Remus, choosing instead to use the bathroom. "You want me to throw the remains of a dead person into the fire?"

He chuckled. "It's not the remains of a dead person. It's floo powder. You throw it into the fire to start the connection."

"Oh." I said lamely, feeling like a complete moron.

Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I reached up and removed the lid from the urn, taking a handful of the powder out. It had a silver sheen to it, giving it the appearance of ground metal rather than burned skin and organs. After I put the top back on the urn, I took a step back and turned back to Harry, awaiting his next instruction.

"Now, you throw the powder into the fire, then step in. Once you're completely surrounded by the fire, you should call out your destination: Number 12, Grimmauld Place. Make sure you're very clear or you might come out the wrong grate."

"That's all?" I asked.

He nodded. "It'll feel a bit weird, but you'll be there before you can say flobberworm."

I nodded and took slow steps into the fireplace. It was a very large space, so the top of my head was a good foot below the crown of the stone that made up the impromptu transportation unit.

I then threw the powder into the fire like I was bidden and watched as the bright orange flames abruptly turned a brilliant green. I walked hesitantly into the fireplace, felling the flames lick against my body, warm but not burning. "Number 12, Grimmauld Place." I spoke evenly. I was transported into a place where I saw grates around me, but couldn't be sure if that was what they actually were. In little over five seconds, I was tumbling out of a stone fireplace and onto plush carpet. I let out an audible oof as I rolled onto my back.

I remained there, catching my breath and observing the room around me. Well, more like the ceiling around me. It was composed of very dark wood and had a chandelier a little to my left lit by candles. Before I could observe any more, I heard flames erupt beside me. Before I got the chance to move, I saw Harry glide gracefully out of the flames. I hated him for his experience with stuff like this. But, karma had a funny way of working things out. Harry took one stop out of the fireplace and tripped over my feet, falling atop me. He braced himself before he could completely crush me, of which I was eternally grateful.

Our eyes met and I felt something stir within me. He was awfully close. His eyes flicked down my face for a moment before meeting mine again. It was then that I realized just how close we were. His legs were entangled in mine and his elbows were barely propping him from colliding with my chest. I gulped as I felt the air around us shift. I should have moved. But there was also a small part of me that was applauding me for not. And that small part began to cheer when Harry began to bend his head down towards me. Our lips were a breath apart when we heard footsteps nearing us. Harry only had enough time to pull away before whoever was walking towards us reached their destination.

"Harry?"

The voice was an unfamiliar one. Harry tilted his head up and grinned meekly. "Hey, Ron."

I let my eyes roll upwards and caught a glimpse of red hair. Harry rolled off me quickly and stood up to greet his old friend. I stood up a moment after and saw the two embracing like two brothers would after a long time apart. It was a great sight to see.

The two detached and Ron's eyes drifted toward me. Instead of just standing there awkwardly, I waved. Only when I stopped did I realize how stupid I must look, waving to a complete stranger when just a few moments ago his best friend was just about to - yeah, let's not think about that. So, to make things less awkward for all of us, I made a second attempt at a greeting.

"Hello."

Yeah, that was normal and didn't make me look like a mentally unstable psychiatric patient.

But still, Ron looked at me as though I were an alien from Mars. I shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, out of ideas for the moment. The only other thing I could think of was a hug and that would only worsen the situation.

"Ron, this is Hermione Granger, the girl I wrote you about." Harry said loudly, cutting the tension with his voice.

He wrote to Ron about me? I asked myself with a giddy inner dialog. I stopped myself before smiling though, crushing the unfamiliar feeling that was welling up in my chest.

"This is Hermione?" Ron asked in disbelief. Harry nodded in conformation. Ron laughed to himself. "I thought you were just one of Harry's lovely little girlfriends."

I looked at Harry oddly. "Oh?"

"U-um, they're not really my girlfriends." He said shakily, nervously running his hand through his hair.

"Right, more like birds he picks up for a night then chucks the next morning." Ron said, correcting his earlier statement. At first I thought he was joking, but then I saw Harry shift uncomfortably from the corner of my eye. I turned towards him and saw his face turning a light shade of pink. What felt like a giant sack of potatoes hit my gut and I almost winced at the impact.

I narrowed my eyes at him, looking from a new perspective. Before he could get a chance to explain himself or I could begin the full-blown rant that I knew was about to spill out of my mouth, Ron spoke up once more, probably realizing that I didn't know about Harry's past with women and wanting to cover it up. "So you're Harry's mysterious fiancée?"

"Yes…" I said slowly, turning back to Ron. I stuck out my hand politely, making myself overlook the new bit of information I just learned for the time being. "Hermione Granger."

"Ron Weasley." Ron took a step forward and grabbed my hand in his, shaking it lightly. "Sorry for the stink-eye earlier. I just thought that with you and Harry… yeah, sorry."

I chuckled, releasing his hand from my grip. "It's perfectly alright. I would have done the same thing."

"Yeah, well, it's just lucky Ginny didn't walk in. You would have gotten an earful from her." He finished with a sour look on his face.

"Really?" I asked tightly, becoming instantly nervous at the mention of her name.

"It's nothing to worry about, really, as long as you can block a nice bat-bogey hex or two."

I wrinkled my nose in distaste, knowing exactly what that hex was meant for. I silently praised my luck that Ron had found us first. Even though I'd never met the girl, Ginny didn't sound like someone I would want to get on the bad side of. Hopefully, that would never happen and she would be a nice young woman to get along with.

Hopefully.

"So, erm, where is Ginny anyway?" Harry asked.

Ron shrugged. "Probably upstairs somewhere, reading a magazine or some other girly thing that I want no part of."

Harry took that as a good answer and nodded to himself. "Well, Hermione, do you want me to show you your room? It's right next to Ginny's so perhaps we'll run into her up there."

I nodded. "Great. It'll give us time to talk about your girlfriends."

Ron snickered from beside me and Harry shot him a glare. I couldn't help but feel smug, knowing now what I wasn't supposed to know in the first place. It was a new feeling that I was very much warming up to. Harry led me out of the living area we arrived in and into the main entrance hall where there was a flight of stairs. We climbed up them at a snail pace and walked down a wide hallway where there were about a dozen different doors scattered on either end. We stopped outside one in the middle and he pushed it open, walking into a room covered in different shades of blue. It was like it was decorated to mirror the clouds on a sunny day, something that made me smile.

I placed my bag on the four-poster bed and looked around the room, soaking up where I would be sleeping the next few weeks. The walls were painted powder blue with white trimming along the edges. The bed, dresser, and desk were all carved with similar wood all painted white. The bedding was a slightly darker shade and the pillows atop it looked as if they were overly stuffed with goose feathers. I doubted I would have any trouble sleeping in accommodations like this.

"It's lovely." I said walking over to the desk to the right and running my hand across the surface.

"Yeah. Tonks insisted on decorating the house. Sirius has absolutely no sense of home décor, apparently." Harry said with a laugh.

"Who's Tonks?" I asked.

"Oh, she's Remus's wife." Harry said, just realizing that he had never mentioned her before. "She's a Metamorphmagus, meaning she can change her physical appearance at will, and is one of the youngest advanced-Aurors ever admitted. She's also the clumsiest."

I chuckled briefly. "She sounds lovely."

"She is. But thanks to her mood swings, she isn't as pleasant as she used to be." At my curious expression, Harry quickly explained himself. "They're expecting a baby in April."

"Oh that's wonderful!" I said, clapping my hands together. "I'll have to congratulate them when I see them."

"Right. Well, I should really be going. People to greet and such." He began to back up towards the door, but I pulled my wand out and pointed it at the door just as he was about to exit.

"Depulso!" I banished the door shut and it complied within a breath. Harry flinched at the loud sound. I had no sympathy.

"I suppose you still want to have that talk, then?"

"You think?" I asked sharply. "Harry is what Ron said true?"

He paused, alerting me that he was going to try to sugar coat the truth. "He put it a little harshly… it's not really like that-"

"Then what is it like, hmm?" I cut in, not wanting him to go any further into his explanation without knowing that I was already onto him. "Do you just go to local pubs and pick up women - surf and turf them like a common man-whore? Or is it more like you have a lot of friends with benefits with a whole system and everything?"

His mouth was agape. I gave him a look that told him to talk or get out. I half expected him to leave, but he took a few steps toward me and talked in a soft voice, almost like he was a wounded animal. "I just… I go out sometimes during my time off school and let loose a little. That's not a crime is it? I need to get away once and a while from the pressures that surround me and…"

"And sex is the perfect release?" I ask hotly.

"Living in the now is the perfect release." He corrected. I rolled my eyes, but he continued on. "Look, Hermione, I - I don't even know if I'm going to be alive next year. I have a huge battle with the most powerful dark wizard of our time rearing its ugly head and it could cost me my life. After hearing the prophecy I made a vow to myself that I wouldn't say no to experiencing everything life had to offer."

"Then go to the Swiss Alps!" I snapped. "Experiencing life doesn't mean you have to sleep around with random girls. I've never slept with anyone and I bet I don't feel half as empty as you."

He gave me a sour look. "We must have different outlooks on life, then. You may not have realized this, but I'm not you. I'm not Miss Perfect who gets fulfillment with every perfect score."

"No." I said roughly. "You're Mr. Easy who tries to make himself feel better by being a slut." He reeled back slightly at my harsh statement, but I didn't take it back. I wanted to, but I didn't. It was the truth and he needed to hear it from someone. "Sleeping around isn't experiencing life, Harry. Life is what you make it. Only you can allow yourself to feel good when doing something. It's not the thing itself - it's your take on it. You could get just as much fulfillment by traveling the world."

"I don't have that much time left to do that, do I?" He asked coolly. "Besides, who are you to criticize my decisions, anyway?"

"I'm your friend!" I said in exasperation, throwing my hands in the air. "I care about you and I don't think you should be wasting your life away by-"

"Being a slut, yeah, I know." He finished equally as fervent. "For your information, I haven't slept with anyone since I met you. For all you know, I could be retired from that part of my life."

"For all I know." I said mockingly. "That's great, Harry. Just when I think I know you, you throw me another loop."

"You do know me." He said, taking a few more steps toward me and putting his hands on my shoulders. "This doesn't change anything. I never lied to you. It's just another part of my past."

"It's a big part." I said, shrugging his hands off.

"Come on, Hermione." He said pleadingly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I'm still Harry. I'm still you're fiancée without all the benefits."

I held back a smile. "It changes my view on you."

"Are you going to hate me forever because of it?" He asked seriously.

"No." I answered honestly, sitting down on the bed. "It's just going to take me a while to let it sink in. I'm not used to not knowing things but I don't want to hate you because of it. I want more than anything to accept it and move on, but that's not the kind of person I am."

He took a seat next to me. I felt the mattress shift with his weight but refused to look at him. He was tainted to me now. He was silent and I didn't want to speak up again, as I had already said everything that was on my mind. So we both just sat there. The air turned thicker with each passing minute and I had to hold back the urge to get up and leave. After what I deemed to be a while of silence, I began to mentally analyze the situation, something I did on occasion. Of course, when I did it in the past it was usually because I couldn't figure out a difficult Chemistry equation. But that was really what this was, right? A hard question that needed to be solved logically, the question being whether or not I was acting reasonable in response to Harry's flaky past.

It was wrong, of course, using sex to fulfill your self-deemed life sentence. There were plenty of other ways, but for some reason Harry chose the physical touch of another. I wasn't a psychologist, but I had a feeling that it wasn't just a random lifestyle change. Of course, I could just be going barmy and be making up excuses for his irrational behavior. I didn't want him to have this kind of background with women, but there wasn't much I could do about it at this point. It was his decision, and though I didn't agree with it, I had to accept it if I wanted to keep him in my life. It was going to take some getting used to, of course, but I would try to make some sort of effort for his benefit. Even if he was a dirty man-whore.

I turned toward him to see that his eyes were focused on the closed door in front of us. He was probably contemplating a way to escape without consequence. I sighed and he turned to face me at the first sound that broke the silence.

"You can leave now, if you want." I said softly.

"But you-"

I held up a hand to stop him. "It's your life, Harry. I don't agree with it, I'm not happy about it, and I still don't understand why it bothers me so much. But I'll try and accept it, even though I know it isn't the logical thing to do."

Instead of looking pleased, he scrunched his brow and spoke in a monotone. "I just - I dunno why I - never mind. I'll see you downstairs."

Then, quick as a bolt of lightning, he opened the door and made a beeline for the stairs. I could only watch him leave, too dumbstruck to do anything else.

I had meant what I said, and the fact that it meant he was off the hook should have been enough for a smile at least. But no, what I get is a jumble of words that make no sense and a speedy exit. I don't know what it is about the two us, but something just isn't right in the way he was making me feel. When I should be mad at him, I forgive him. When I should overlook darkness in his past, I feel as if I've been hit with a stack of potatoes in my gut.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say that I was jealous.

I had never really felt jealously in this form before, so it was hard to believe that what I was feeling derived from that emotion. I had had pinches of envy when I saw Kat with her boyfriends, wishing I was in her place, sure. I even had a twinge of bitter desire when I saw the talents other people possessed such as singing in perfect soprano or dancing in perfect rhythm. But those were just small things, mediocre things that could be overlooked. This, though, this caused me to lash out at someone I care about. That couldn't be jealousy, could it?

"Hello."

I nearly jumped off the bed when I heard a high voice speak up from the doorway. There, leaning against the doorframe, was none other than Ginny Weasley. She looked just like the picture I had first seen her in - straight red hair, dazzling bright brown eyes, and a splash of freckles adorning her nose and upper cheeks.

"Hi." I said softly, not willing to get off my bed to greet her.

"You must be Hermione, right?" She asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, and you're Ginny."

"Guilty." She said innocently. "Harry left in a right state."

A wave of embarrassment hit me. "You saw that?"

"I heard it more than saw it." She said, walking a few steps into my room.

"And what exactly did you hear?" I asked, fearing that she heard the horrid things I had just been saying to our friend.

"Enough" She said evenly. "I take it you found out about Harry's past methods of coping?"

"Yeah."

"You gave him quite an earful, from what I heard." I looked up at her, ready to apologize, but she had a look on her face that was more amused than upset. "No one's had the guts to do that since it started. Not even me."

That surprised me. "No one?"

She shook her head. "I told him he was being stupid, but not as vehemently as you. I don't think he would have listened anyway."

"You're one of his best friends. Of course he'll listen to you."

A small smile spread on her lips. "He may listen, but that doesn't mean he'll take it to heart. I've been trying to sort out for years what it was that got to him - what I had to do to make him see reason. It wasn't until recently that I realized it wasn't something but someone."

"Pardon?"

She came to sit next to me on the bed and I felt a little nervous with her this close. "I've known Harry pretty much all my life. We've been through countless things together and I love him a lot, but I figured out a while ago that it wasn't enough. He needs to find someone that can keep him reasonable, sort out all of his flaws and above all, give him a reason to believe that he'll survive his battle with Voldemort. I don't know if he's found that person yet, but you're getting pretty damn close and you've only known him for four months."

"I - I don't know what to say. I mean, you're his best friend and he won't even listen to you?"

"Again, he listens, but he doesn't take it seriously. It isn't because he doesn't care, I know that much. I haven't tried to get into his head since we started dating. He's a difficult person to read."

"Is that why you two didn't work out? Harry just said you were better off friends."

"It was a lot of things. But most off, when we were together it felt like it was just all pre-planned, like it was our duty to end up together. That wasn't enough to keep the relationship going, though, unfortunately. Sure, the snogs were great, but the emotions weren't there."

"I'm sorry to hear that." I said sincerely.

"It's all in the past." She said nonchalantly. "The important thing is that I've just sorted out that you're not as big of a bitch as I thought you were."

I was completely taken aback at that. "O-oh?"

She shrugged. "That was my first impression of you. When my mum told me Harry had to go away on Order business and miss out on school, I went straight to Dumbledore and found out the real reason. I knew it wasn't anything to do with Voldemort, as he's still incognito somewhere. Imagine my surprise when I find out my ex was engaged before he could talk to a girl who refused to believe in magic."

I blushed.

"So, naturally, I blamed you for his leaving and wrote you off as a best friend stealing bitch who was nothing but trouble." She said as if she was mentioning the change in weather.

I could see her side of the story, but it still stung to know that she once thought of me in that way. "How can you change your mind so quickly about me?"

"Easy." She said with a smile. "You rendered Harry speechless just before he left. I've never once seen that happen with anyone he's talked to. You're alright in my book if you can bring the great Harry Potter to a loss for words."

I let a smile work its way across my face. I felt an unfamiliar boost of accomplishment hearing those words come out of Ginny's mouth. Coming from one of his best friends, I knew it must be the truth. Plus, the fact that she confessed to blaming me for his leaving made her all the more human to me. She was no longer the unapproachable friend, but the honest relief that I was thankful to hear.

"You're not half bad yourself." I said.

She held out her hand and I took it swiftly, feeling cheerful now that I had gotten the two introductions I was most dreading out of the way. "Welcome to Grimmauld Place, Hermione."

I had no regrets about buying her the chocolates now.

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