Bewitching Darkness (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter 10

Ron's POV

it was around one and we had gone to about twenty different stores because Ginny wanted to know as much as she could about muggles. It was tiring to say the least. My legs felt like they could give way any minute.

Harry seemed to be enjoying himself, buying things for Ginny and smiling at her when she liked something he picked out. They were so whipped. I could tell that Harry actually cared about her. He insisted on paying for pretty much everything Gunny liked. They were now looking through the window of a shop that sold shoes and handbags and Harry was pointing out things that would look good on her.

I wanted that with Hermione. I wanted to buy her things and make her laugh. But she had hardly said a word to me since that morning. I could tell she was not doing much better than I was just by looking at her. Her mouth was turned down in scowl and her eyes just looked sad

"Okay, time for lunch," she announced suddenly, steering Harry and Ginny away from the shop window. "Let's go!"

She led us down another side road and we followed her. Her bushy broen hair was swaying behind her and her intelligent brown eyes scanned the area carefully. She was looking beautiful in muggle clothes; a simple white shirt and blue jeans. I watched as she shrugged her cardigan off, declaring it was slightly warmer today.

Neville and Luna were a few paces behind me, talking about some new creature that Luna's father had just discovered. Neville was actually paying attention to what she was saying, even interrupting her to ask a question about the creature.

I thought they were good together. They were both sort of different from the rest and were sort of cool in their own way. Don't get me wrong, I liked Neville and Luna, but they tended to find pleasure in different things. Neville liked talking about Herbology and Luna just liked mythical creatures. So it would make sense for them to connect.

Hermione stopped outside a restaurant that had a giant yellow M above the door. When we got closer, I realized the name of the place was McDonald's.

"It's a fast food place," Hermione said looking at our blank faces. Harry was trying hard not to laugh.

"Fast food?" Luna asked. "It sounds a little strange, don't you think?" Neville nodded and I joined in. Harry chuckled

"Of course, you lot don't have a clue about fast food. It's also kniwn as junk food."

"Harry.." Hermione warned, but Luna cut her off.

"Junk?" she asked. "I don't think we should eat junk. It could be unhealthy."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "We are not eating trash. Just come inside." She pushed the door open and we walked in. It looked like a normal eating place. Tables were scattered everywhere and there was a counter at one end. Hermione found a booth next to a window and we gladly slid into it, tired of walking for so long.

"So," Harry said. "What do you guys want to eat?

"Do that have anything in chicken?" I asked hopefully and he laughed.

"Of course they do," he answered. "Right, since you lot don't know about this, I'll go and order us some cheeseburgers. And chicken nuggets."

"Okay," said Hermione. "I'll help you carry everything." But he shook his head.

"Nah, it's alright," he told her. "Neville was going to help me anyway."

"I was?" Neville asked. Harry coughed and he added. "i mean I am."

Luna brightened up. "I'll come too. That looks interesting." She was taking about the guy at the counter who was typing away on a machine

I could see where this was going.

Once they were all gone, Ginny hastily got up. "Well, I need to go to the bathroom," she said and slid out of our booth.

That left Hermione and I. She was looking down at the tabletop, observing the surface. I was fidgeting, and getting uncomfortable. I wanted to talk to her, to tell her I was sorry for everything, but I knew what she would say; she needed time. I tapped my fingers against the table and she continued looking down at the table.

"Look, Hermione," I cleared my throat.

"I forgive you," she said, finally looking at me and not the bloody table. I blinked in confusion. What did she mean? She had said it would take time, but now she was saying she forgave hum.

"Come again?l I asked her, blinking again.

"I forgive you," she declared and bit her lip.

"Mione..." I started, but she cut me off. "I'm not going to wait another day not telling you. I forgive you and I want to start again."

It was as if my heart had suddenly gotten a mind of its own. It was racing that hard. I couldn't believe it.

Was she actually serious? After everything, she wanted a fresh start. To say I was overjoyed would be an understatement.

"Are you sure?" I decided to ask her. She pushed a strand of her hair behind her and gazed intently at me out of her chocolate-brown eyes.

"I'm sure," she said. "I realized I was being stupid."

"No, you were not stupid," I told her at once. She grimaced

"Yes, I was," she said. "I mean, of course, what you did was completely mental but...you had no control over yourself. You apologized already and I shouldn't have acted like that."

"Hermione.." I whispered.

"And before they actually cast the curse on you, I think it is partly my fault that you got close to them and gave them the power to exploit you."

I took a deep breath. "Well, you're kind of right. I guess when they started being all clingy, you just sort of drew away. You kept to yourself and didn't come with us. They tool advantage of that," I told her gently, reaching for her hand across the table.

Hermione smiled faintly. "I just...got so mad," she said. "They were everything I'm not and I felt horrible. I thought that after seeing them, you would just forget about me. My hair is bushy and all frizzy and I don't know the first thing about hitting it off with someone. I thought that they were better than me and that you saw that."

She was looking down at her lap now so I couldn't see her face. Leaning forward slightly, I tilted her chin up si she was looking into my eyes. "Hermione Jean Granger, listen to me." She looked at me and I took a deep breath before continuing. "I don't give a rat's fort about anyone else, alright ? You are beautiful to me. I like your wild bushy hair, your personality and well..everything. I don't care about anything else. You're all I need."

Her eyes were bright with tears as I looked at her. Her whole face was slowly lighting it up and seeing it like that made me smile. Sucking in her bottom lip, she said, "I don't want to be clingy either. You should talk to whoever you want to. It's your own choice and I am not going to stand in the way."

I caressed the side of her face. "But you know what?"

She giggled. "What?"

"I don't need anybody else."

We were silent for a while just looking at each other, or around us at the muggles. Then Harry, Luna and Neville got back with the food and Ginny somehow appeared at the exact moment. We dove into the food like starving animals. It was delicious. I was starting to really like fast food. The chicken nuggets were the highlight of my meal. After 'Hermione.

As Harry reached out for the box of nuggets, he whispered so only I could hear. "How did it go', mate? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah," I told him. "Everything is fine. Thanks for doing that for me." He clapped me on the back before bitting into a french fry. (I didn't know why they were calked that)

"You're welcome, mate," he said.

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A/N

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