Lunch in the Great Hall with Harry, Ginny and Ron turned out to provide Hermione with a great distraction from her encounter with Draco. They were discussing, in far too great a detail for Hermione's liking, their strategy for winning this year's Quidditch Cup. Much to their dismay, Professor McGonagall had informed Ron and Harry (during their pre-class meeting, the previous day) that they would not be allowed to play for the Gryffindor team. "Too old and experienced" she'd said. They would, however, be allowed to coach if they so chose. Ginny, of course, was team captain, although not too thrilled about sharing leadership duties, but her disappointment was nothing compared to Ron's anger.
"Would you please just get over it already, Ron?" His sister spat. "We all know you had your heart set on playing for the Cannons one day, but that ship has sailed for now, and you are left with this. Take it or leave it."
"Take it or leave it?!?" It wasn't the first time Harry and Hermione had witnessed the two red-headed siblings go at it, but their ferocity was new to everyone else in the room, and it was drawing a lot of attention. "In case you've forgotten... gaining more Quidditch experience is the only reason I wanted to come back this year! I'm okay with the fact that studies aren't my thing. I was willing to suffer through them, though, knowing at the end of the day there'd be Quidditch. But now... Now, I have nothing... NOTHING keeping me here."
His words hurt Hermione, but not as much as they would have a month ago. When they arrived home from Australia, and their lives started to look somewhat normal, Hermione slowly began to see that she and Ron wanted different things. He was constantly looking for the next big adventure, while she simply wanted to finish school, get a steady job and live a normal, some might say boring, life. She knew Ron would never be satisfied with that, not when he finally had a taste of the spotlight after spending so many years in the shadows. She realized the love she felt for him was more friendly than romantic, but she had spent so many years longing for him that it didn't feel right to give up so easily, so she remained with him, hoping her feelings could someday deepen. But when she saw his foul mood as he arrived on the platform, she understood that his happiness would always come more from external factors like fame and admirers than their relationship. That was not something she could move past, and this little outburst strengthened her resolve to end it with him sooner rather than later. She remained silent as the argument continued, mentally running over the words she planned to speak to him that night.
"Well, boo hoo for you!" Ginny was not about to let her brother's poor attitude ruin her final year on the house team. "Can you all imagine?" She swung her arm around to indicate the rest of the students in the room, "Having to actually focus on school, while YOU. ARE. AT. SCHOOL?!?!?!" A collective giggle was heard through the hall, as Ron's face reached a shade bordering on purple. "How terrible that must be for you. And another thing, big brother," when Ginny turned on the bitch, she really nailed it, "Professor McGonagall made sure we all knew who had the final say about whether you helped coach or not." His eyes narrowed as he dared her to cut him off from the team completely. "That's right... ME, and you're out!" She didn't leave him room to respond as she slammed her hands on the table, stood up, pulling Harry with her and exited the deathly silent room.
Ron stared at the bench his sister and best friend had just vacated, his fists and jaw clenched rhythmically. Hermione had seen him like this before. The last time he managed to wandlessly set the Burrow's curtains on fire. She knew she had to act quickly if she wanted to avoid a repeat of that incident here. She placed her hand softly on his shoulder. He whipped around, his wild eyes seemingly ready to shoot lasers straight through whomever had touched him. They only slightly softened when he saw it was her. "Ron," she spoke gently, "Let's get some fresh air."
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Relentless - A Dramione FanFic
FanfictionThe war has ended. The golden trio were able to enjoy a rather normal summer holiday. Other than the month spent tracking down Hermoine's parents and restoring their memories, things were relaxed, comfortable, perfect, even. But they were headed...
