Relentless - A Dramione FanFic

Parting on Good Terms

Frenzied tapping woke Hermione. She blinked herself awake to see the tawny owl she'd sent Viktor the day before on her window sill. Stumbling her way across the room, dragging the bed covers she had clumsily wrapped around herself, she grumbled, "I'm coming!" The tapping continued until she nudged the window open, allowing him and a cold breeze to enter. He stuck out his leg, and waited for her to remove the rolled parchment. She happily obliged, eager to read Viktor's response. The owl chirped loudly at her for neglecting to give him any treats. Hermione looked at him apologetically and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sorry. I have nothing right now, but I promise to come to the owlery this afternoon and make it up to you." He shook his feathers in a show of annoyance before swooping back out the window, which Hermione quickly pulled shut behind him. She settled herself into the middle of the bed and read:

Hermione,

As always, I was pleased to hear from you. Your letter could not have come at a better time. Our keeper was injured in a match last week, and we have no replacement. My teammates all agree Ron would be a good solution. Please extend our invitation for him to join us as soon as possible.

~Viktor

That was it then. Ron would get the chance to live out his dream of playing professional quidditch, and he would be leaving Hogwarts for good, probably within a matter of hours. A large part of her would miss seeing him everyday, but mainly she was happy for him. She also hoped the news would override any urge he had to try and win her back.

The sun was just peeking through her window, leaving her no option of going back to sleep, so she gathered her bathing essentials, and slipped into the bathroom. She locked the door leading to Ron's room, just in case, before disrobing. The hot water and bath salts eased tension she hadn't realized she was carrying. It was exactly what she needed to clear her mind of everything that had happened since coming back to school, and what needed to happen yet that day.

Her relaxation was so complete she nearly jumped out of the tub when she heard a soft knock coming from Ron's door. "Hermione?... When you're done... no rush, but when you're done... I'd like to have a shower." His voice was raspy, confirming Harry's claim that he'd been crying the night before. In fact, it sounded as if he still might be.

Hermione hated that she was the source of his sadness, but couldn't let his emotional reactions sway her resolve. She tried to sound compassionate as she answered, "I'm nearly done. I'll give you a knock when I'm finished." He didn't respond, but she heard footsteps retreating into his room, presumably back to the bed.

Rather than getting out immediately, she remained lying in the tub as the water drained. Only after the finals drops swirled into the drain did she climb out. She tucked the towel around her and gave Ron the signal, then hurried to her room.

***

Both showers were running when Hermione exited her room. The cottage below was empty. She thought for a moment about sneaking out in order to avoid Ron again, but knew it would only make things worse. He already knew she was up and that she was there. Plus, now that she had Viktor's news in her back pocket, hopefully the conversation would be less uncomfortable.

Hermione walked into the kitchen and wrote 1 dozen eggs, cheddar cheese, mushrooms, green peppers and bacon on the parchment. A moment later, all the ingredients for her favorite omelet appeared on the counter. Cooking was a hobby that completely relaxed her. As she placed the worn skillet on the burner, she breathed out all the dread she felt about the inevitable confrontation with Ron. The familiar sizzle of bacon hitting hot pan felt like home, warming Hermione from the inside out.