Far apart - Mrs Weasley SEQUEL

Chapter 5: Hogsmeade hysteria

I had skipped every hogsmeade weekend this year but I decided I needed to go. I walked down to breakfast and sat next to Ron. I put my head on his shoulder since I was still tired and Hermione looked at me shocked.

"Think you can weasel your way back in?" She said not looking at me.

"Would you get over yourself?" Hermione was stubborn an apology wouldn't get far with her right now. She could be a bitch when she wanted to.

She looked at me stunned. I could be a bitch too. Ron put his arm around my shoulder and him and Harry bit back laughter.

"Yes I got a little crazy and awol but I'm back."

"I barely even noticed," Ron said sarcastically.

"Oh shut up," I shoved his shoulder and laughed.

"I'm only joking. I'm glad you're back; I was starting to worry."

"Starting? You won't shut up about her!" Harry said between bites of toast.

"Aww Ronald you missed me?"

"Oh shut it, you're my best friend of course I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"I need a butter beer. And I need new quills. Oh, I should also pick up some broom polish for the team-"

"So, you're only here for errands," Ron rolled his eyes.

"No, I said butter beer."

"You're ridiculous."

"Maybe I could pick up some Christmas gifts too."

"Do you have time to hang out with me in that busy schedule of yours?" He asked sarcastically.

"Of course, I have time for you. I need to pull my head from my arse for a while. I realized last night how exhausted I was. I haven't really slept since we've been back. I've dropped divinations and Neville has taken over as the leader of the herbology club... Tell me why I signed up for that again? Anyways, I have all of my medicinal herbs planted for madame pomfery but I can't cut back on quidditch practice, I mean you've seen the team. Although, there are a few with potential this year-"

"Bloody hell just stop talking and relax."

"Ok ok I'm relaxed."

"For some reason I seriously doubt that."

"You know me too well."

We walked into the Three Broomsticks and I'm damning myself for skipping these trips. The familiar smell of butterscotch and the crowd of people instantly makes me forget about the work waiting for me back in my dorm.

"How many butter beers do you think I could drink before I vomit?"

"Emily I'd really rather not test that theory," I laugh as Ron gives me a stressed look.

I suddenly feel my notebook moving in my bag. I reach down to take it out and write back to George but I hesitate as I think about Ron standing next to me. It'd be rude to ignore my best friend. It can wait. Yeah, it can wait.

"What are you thinking about?" Ron asks me, more concerned than curious.

"How much I missed you," I sling my arm around his shoulder and smile as we walk to the counter.

"So what's up with that girl?"

"What?" Ron asked face as red as his hair.

"Lavender? Is that a thing? I'm going to be honest with you she's creepy."

"She is not!"

"I'm convinced she's going to murder you in the dead of night."

"Emily!"

"Ron as your best friend I am required to warn you when you're involving yourself with serial killers. Not to mention Hermione."

"What- Hermione- what do you mean?"

"Ron, you are not that thick, I mean you are but not that much."

"Can we please just change the subject?"

"Alright but I'm giving an 'I told you so' speech at your funeral."

"I'm starting to miss not hanging out with you."

"Ok ok I'm done," I laughed at him as he rolled his eyes, "I just want you to be happy."

"You know I want you to be happy too right? No matter what?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I was concerned with the look in his eyes.

"You can't be mad at me. With George not being in your school, your entire life has fallen apart. I mean I've barely seen you in months and you're over working yourself and I'm just afraid that this is too hard on you."

"It's not too hard on me. It's not like he's gone he's just done with school. My life has not fallen apart I'm just busy," as all of these excuses pour out of my mouth I become more and more afraid that he's right.

"I said you can't be mad at me!"

"I'm not mad. I'm just saying you're wrong," but I wasn't sure he was. I loved George and I knew I wanted to be with him but I hadn't felt like myself in months.

"I just want you to know that if, and I'm not saying this will happen, you weren't together anymore nothing would change between us. You'll always be my best friend," I went quiet.

I didn't want to feel comfort in his words. I didn't want to think about the possibility of not being with George. And not being able to think about it scared me even more. I needed to be a person outside of him and I couldn't anymore. I stood up fast enough to get several stares.

"Emily, I didn't mean to make you upset-"

"You didn't. I just have to go," I wasn't upset with Ron. I was scared for myself. I walked out quickly trying not to draw anymore attention myself. I started to run once I was out of view and made my way to the tree looking out towards the shrieking shack. I opened my notebook and read the messages.

Mmmorning

Emilyyyyyy

Lovely are you alright?

I closed it quickly. No, I wasn't alright.