Breaking the shadows

Being in love.

1997

Monday April 7th

On the way to class Hermione and Harry are talking about what happened at Ginny's over the break. The burrow was set on fire by the death eaters and burned down. All because Harry is the chosen one. Ginny is devastated, she just lost her childhood home, they are going to rebuild it, but it will never be the same. I wish I could have been there with her.

As Hermione and Harry are talking, we walk past Ron and Lavender, they are chatting in a very flirty way and Hermione says: "Excuse me, I'll have to go vomit." As she turns around, I say to Harry: "It isn't fair you know?"

Harry: "What?"

"How he can be so blind."

Harry: "He's in love."

"And so is Hermione, but she doesn't have to suffer, does she?"

Harry: "Hermione is in love?"

"Didn't you know? That is why she left when they started snogging."

Harry: "I just thought she was angry with him?"

"She is, but because they had something, and he completely ignored it."

Harry points to Ron and Lavender and says: "Ron's tired of her you know that?"

"I didn't, but why doesn't he leave her then?"

Harry: "I don't know. But I know what it's like to be in love with someone you can't have."

"I'm sorry."

Harry: "Don't be, Ginny is happier with you anyway."

"Are you sure?"

Harry: "Yes, we tried, it didn't work out and things happen."

"I better get to class Harry, but I'm truly sorry."

---

Tuesday April 8th: The next morning, I went to the hospital wing with Ginny as Ron had been placed there at night, he took the love potion from Harry that Romilda Vane had given him and later he was poisoned, but Harry saved him with bezoar. As Ginny heard the news, she ran down to the hospital wing, and I ran after her. Ginny sat down in a chair beside Ron's bed as Dumbledore praised Harry for his quick thinking. And then Dumbledore turned to professor Slughorn and said: "You must be very proud of your student, Horace."

Professor Slughorn: "Hm? Oh, yes very proud"

Professor McGonagall: "I think we agree, Potter's actions were heroic. But the question is why were they necessary?"

"Why indeed" Dumbledore said turning to Professor Slughorn. "This appears to be a gift, Horace. You don't remember who gave you this bottle?"

Professor Slughorn shakes his head and Professor Dumbledore says: "Which by the way possesses remarkable subtle hints of licorice and cherry when not polluted with poison."

Professor Slughorn: "Actually, I had intended to give it as a gift myself."

Professor Dumbledore: "To whom, I might ask?"

Professor Slughorn: "To you headmaster."

Just then Lavender storms in yelling: "Where is he? Where's my Won-Won? Has he been asking for me?"

"What she's doing here." Lavender asks turned to Hermione.

Hermione: "I might ask you the same question."

Lavender: "I happen to be his girlfriend" she says angrily.

Hermione: "I happen to be his... friend."

Lavender: "Don't make me laugh. You haven't spoken in weeks. I suppose you want to make up, now that he's all interesting."

Hermione: "He's been poisoned you daft dimbo!" Hermione gets madder by the second: "And for the record, I've always found him interesting."

Ron gasps and Lavender walks over to the bed saying: "Ah, see? He senses my presence. Don't worry Won-Won, I'm here."

Ron starts to mumble, and Lavender is shocked when it appears that Ron is mumbling Hermione's name and not hers.

Lavender runs out sobbing and Hermione sits down on the bed and take Ron's hands.

"Oh, to be young and to feel love's keen sting." Dumbledore says, looking after Lavender. "Well come away, everybody. Mr. Weasley is well tended."

We all leave except Hermione. As Ginny walks past Harry, she says: "About time, don't you think?"

I see Harry nods, and just before I leave, I hear Hermione say: "Oh shut up."

I'm happy for Hermione, Ron has finally realised that he doesn't belong with Lavender but with Hermione, even though he had to be poisoned to find out.

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Puplished: 12-06-23