A/N 1: The love of my life and my beta reader Ryder28 was Instrumental in writing this chapter. She in fact wrote half of it. So my deepest thanks to her for her brilliant work.
A/N 2: Also I'm sorry I haven't updated as soon as I would of liked. I work crazy hours and between that and family time I rarely get to the refuge of my computer anymore. This story has been really fun to write. And while I realize it was short, and at times jumped ahead faster then I wanted it to, it was really just for me to test the waters in writing fanfiction. This story, along with your reviews, I believe has helped me become a slightly better writer and hope it reflects in my next piece ( which will be based on the world I've built here ).
Harry and Hermione quickly bounded from the living room towards the front door. Wands at the ready, they flung open the door, both ready to deflect and defend themselves from the enraged, youngest Weasley. However, to both of their surprises the charms protecting Harrys home did a fine job of keeping the fire contained just outside the perimeter. With the comforting knowledge that they were protected for the time being Harry spoke to Hermione
"Go inside 'Mione... I'll try and talk to her. Get her to calm down"
"Okay Harry... Just... Be safe okay?" Hermione voiced as she slowly backed away towards the house never turning her back on the situation in front of her. Once she was safely inside Harry turned towards Ginny again and yelled
"Ginny... Thats enough! Stop!" But her attack continued. Harry let her vent only for a few more moments before he raised in wand and wordlessly cast two spells, one creating a giant gust of wind, the other amplifying his voice. "ENOUGH" Harry billowed. Ginny broken from her concentration and rage simply starred at Harry, daring him to explain.
"Ginny... You know this is wrong. You know that being with you was... Good... Whilst it lasted... But we were never really meant to be..."
"How would you know that? You never gave us a chance" she shrieked. Harry paused
"What do you mean?"
"You never saw me, you only had eyes for... for her" she hissed gesturing towards the house where Harry knew Hermione stood just beyond the door in case he needed her. "And as if it weren't enough for you to break my heart you just had to break my brothers as well. The two of you... you just... you used us... you never cared!" Ginny sunk down to her knees. Harry stood behind the protective charm encircling the house at a total loss for words. He took a few cautious steps towards the edge of the barrier. Ginny had since pulled her legs against her chest. Just as he was about to cross the barrier Ginny spoke: "You always took care of everyone else, but you never took care of me, I loved you Harry, and you... you just, you ignored me. Put me off as some silly little girl."
Harry walked confidently towards Ginny and felt the protective charm pass over him. Taking a deep breath he sat down on the curb next to her.
"Gin, I'm sorry, I never wanted you to feel that way. I'm sorry that you didn't think I saw you, that I didn't care. I did, I still do. You are my friend, but honestly you and I both know that it just wasn't right when we were dating. We tried and it just, it never clicked you know?" Harry cautiously rested a hand on her shoulder. Ginny looked up at him, a look of shock and confusion on her face.
"You're sorry?" she whispered. Harry felt unsure, he couldn't tell if she was mad or honestly surprised. Finally he nodded,
"I am" he said before continuing "And I know some part of you knows that I am... As for Ron... He's not been well for some time now. He even admitted that much to us. I don't know if he has told you yet, but he's finally seeking help. Ginny," Harry said kindly, getting her attention "We all need to stop trying to control our futures based on our pasts. What has happened... happened. And I will not make apologies for how things have turned out. Just know I never meant to hurt you" Harry watched as Ginnys face changed from hate and anger to that of a sadness and finally, understanding.
"I'm sorry Harry." she whispered wiping stubbornly at her eyes "Your right. I'm not thinking straight, Ron just told us that he was leaving for treatment, and I guess... I guess it just made me upset. I mean we all knew he needed help, but I suppose we never thought that he would realize it, or how he would. I just needed someone to blame, I thought it might make things a little easier on me. Obviously it didn't, it just made me think about the past." Ginny paused for a moment before looking back at the house across the street and sighed "And I always knew that you had feelings for Hermione, probably before you even knew, and part of me wondered if that made any difference for us. At the time I thought if I could show you how much I loved you that you could, in time, learn to love me too. Leave it to another Weasley to fly off the handle when their emotions get muddled." Harry couldn't help but smile at her words but looking at Ginny he saw that she was looking at the house again a look of concentration on her face.
"Tell Hermione I'm sorry. I am truly sorry Harry." Harry nodded, understanding all to well what Ginny was going through, it was hard enough to have to watch someone you love fall in love with someone else without all the other drama that had unfolded in the last few days. He had the same experience when he had seen Hermione with Ron.
"I guess I'll see ya around Harry. But on friendlier terms next time." Ginny promised kindly. She stood and held her hand out, Harry shook it and smiled. She nodded again before taking a few steps back and turning on the spot disapperated.
"I'm sure we will" he whispered into the night air.
Harry opened his door and before he could even enter his home he was assaulted with a classic Hermione bear hug. "How on earth did you talk her down Harry" Hermione spoke into his neck not showing any signs of letting Harry out of the hug any time soon. "I told her the truth, although I think she already knew it. I figure she just needed to vent." Harry replied finally breaking from her bear hug. Hermione looking into Harrys eyes for reassurance and found it in the form of a kiss.
two days later...
Harry and Hermione had contacted Neville and Luna Longbottom the day before and had arranged for Teddy be brought home and for the Longbottoms to stay for dinner. The house had been cleaned from top to bottom within hours with the use of a few simple spells and with the help of Kreacher. Who was still employed by Harry, much to Hermiones displeasure, though she did have to admit that Harry treated him kindly, and Kreacher seemed to enjoy working for Harry. Dinner was just about finished when a loud knock emanated from the front door.
Harry and Hermione greeted Neville, Luna, and Teddy and ushered them inside. Teddy reached for Harry as soon as he saw him, he broke into a fit of giggles as Harry grabbed him in a tight hug. After everyone exchanging pleasantries and Teddy was put down for a nap Harry and Neville made their way into the dining room Harry rarely had use for. Luna went with Hermione to the kitchen to help her finish the dinner preparations. With the two women now in the other room and out of ear shot Neville, not skipping a beat, asked Harry the one question he was hoping to avoid
"So mate, what happened last week... Is everything okay?" Harry replied semi cryptically "Yeah, everything's okay now. I just had to take care of a few matters that needed my undivided attention and at the time I wasn't really sure if Teddy would of been safe here while I took care of... the uh, issues." It seemed to be enough to satisfy Neville as he smiled widely and clapped Harry on the back.
"Well then Harry, its good to hear everything alright then. You know any time you need us to watch Teddy we'll gladly help. To be honest with you it kinda gave Luna and I the idea of having our own little tikes running about soon." Harry couldn't help but grin. Just as their conversation started to dwindle, Hermione and Luna called them from the kitchen to come help bring the food out to the dining room.
Once the table was set and the food was dished out everyone took their seats. The fabulous chicken dinner Hermione and Harry had prepared kept conversation light and minimal. It wasn't until they all starting eating the pumpkin pie Kreacher had made them for desert that the conversation took an awkward turn.
"So wheres Ronald, Hermione? Another late night at the office I wonder?" Luna asked in her light and curious voice not knowing of the events the past week held. Hermione turned a chrisom Gryffindor red as she turned to Harry for some kind of guidance as to how to proceed. Harry jumped in and fielded the question for Hermione himself
"Rons gone to the states... For what, I don't really feel is our place to say. You can send him an owl to see if he will tell you the details later."
"Oh okay we will be sure to send our love across the pond." Luna replied though her face showed curiosity. The rest of the evening went well from that point on. Awkward conversations were avoided carefully and everyone had a wonderful time catching up talking of schooling and work. Upon noticing how late the hour had gotten Neville and Luna began to make their way towards the door. After thanking Harry and Hermione for a lovely evening they proceeded to walk down the street to the apparation point. Luna stopped about halfway and turned to look back at the bay window that looked into Harrys living room
"Luna?" Neville asked turning to see her standing with a smile on her face. Walking back over to her he followed her gaze and saw Harry and Hermione in a passionate embrace.
"Well that could mean anythi-" he stopped short as the two kissed one another. Luna turned to look at Neville, a knowing smile on her face. Neville sighed as the two turned away from the house.
"Pay up dear..." Luna whispered linking her arm through his as Neville fished around in his pocket for his last galleon.